US Deportations Hit 10-Year Peak as Biden Administration Concludes

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reports a notable rise in deportations, totalling 271,484 immigrants removed from the United States to nearly 200 countries during the last fiscal year.

This figure represents the highest number of deportations in a decade. The majority of those deported had entered the US illegally via the southern border, influenced by factors such as authoritarian governance, poverty, and economic instability prevalent in the Western Hemisphere. This comprehensive report covers operations conducted from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024, marking a pivotal assessment of immigration enforcement under the Biden administration just ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20.

Trump has pledged to launch a historically large deportation campaign, yet the specifics of this initiative remain unclear. Ice’s Acting Director, Patrick J. Lechleitner, affirms the agency's determination to uphold laws established by Congress, despite ongoing challenges stemming from chronic underfunding.
Initially, the Biden administration sought to temporarily halt deportations while proposing legislation aimed at providing pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

However, a surge in border crossings has necessitated an expansion of detention practices and deportation efforts. New regulations enacted in the summer have resulted in a significant decrease in illegal border crossings, leading to a higher number of deportations compared to releases pending court proceedings. During Trump’s first term, deportations peaked at 267,260 in the 2019 fiscal year, primarily focusing on individuals apprehended within the US, rather than recent border crossers.

The recent spike in deportations can be attributed to intensified removal operations directed towards countries including El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, as well as an increase in charter flights to nations in the Eastern Hemisphere, particularly China. While Biden's administration maintains a commitment to prioritize the removal of individuals deemed threats to national security or public safety, the total number of deportations reflects only a small fraction of the estimated undocumented population due to immigration court backlogs, budget limitations, and considerable public opposition in several states.

According to the 2024 report, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador were identified as the primary destinations for deported individuals. Notably, Venezuela cooperated less with US deportation efforts, resulting in only 3,256 deportations during the past year. Transitioning to Trump's forthcoming administration, his team has reiterated plans for a large-scale deportation initiative aimed at individuals with outstanding deportation orders and those considered public safety risks.

Internal ICE statistics indicate that nearly half of those with such orders may not be eligible for removal due to various circumstances. The report also reveals that 33 per cent of deported immigrants possessed criminal records or had pending charges, predominantly for traffic violations, drug offences, and immigration-related infractions. Additionally, the number of unaccompanied minors deported has notably declined, contrasting with an increase in deportations of migrant family members.

Despite critiques faced by Biden's administration regarding its immigration policies, officials maintain the stance that undocumented immigrants play vital roles as essential workers and integral community members.