In the past fiscal year, U.S. immigration authorities carried out the highest number of deportations in nearly a decade, exceeding the record set during Donald Trump’s first term. According to a report released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Thursday, over 271,000 undocumented immigrants were deported, marking a significant increase.
The report arrives just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump, who has promised to prioritize mass deportations, is set to take office. Trump has vowed to launch the “largest deportation operation in history,” though such efforts are expected to face substantial logistical and financial obstacles.
Biden’s Shift in Immigration Policy
During his 2021 campaign, President Joe Biden pledged to pause deportations. However, his administration later expanded deportation efforts in response to a surge in border crossings. The ICE report attributes the steep rise in deportations to a streamlined process, including an increase in deportation flights to previously inaccessible destinations like Africa and Asia.
The majority of deportations in fiscal year 2024 stemmed from border apprehensions, with 82% of the deported individuals being migrants arrested by border agents rather than ICE officials operating within the U.S. interior.
Diplomatic and Border Enforcement Efforts
The report highlights improved diplomatic relations as a key factor in the rise of deportations, enabling the U.S. to repatriate more migrants to their home countries. Additionally, Mexican authorities have intensified efforts to curb the flow of migrants heading north to the U.S. border.
In June, President Biden issued an executive order significantly limiting asylum claims. Combined with Mexico’s cooperation, this led to a reduction in illegal border crossings. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported that migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border reached a record high in December 2023 but have since dropped to their lowest levels since July 2020.
Political Reactions
Trump and his allies have criticized Biden’s immigration policies despite the record number of deportations. Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for Trump’s transition team, argued that Biden’s deportations were “insignificant” compared to the surge in illegal immigration during his presidency. She emphasized Trump’s commitment to resolving what she called a “national security nightmare” by initiating mass deportations upon returning to office.
As the political debate intensifies, both the scale of deportations and the effectiveness of border enforcement are expected to remain central issues in the coming months.