Many comments have been made regarding the immigration and deportation of illegal immigrants in the past few years. Using the current data released by ICE, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, the following information paints somewhat of a different picture.
Let’s take a look at the past decade in deportation. Starting with President Barack Obama’s second term, in 2013 there were approximately 370 thousand deportations. Reportedly 59%, over 215 thousand of those were convicted criminals removed from America. The following year, 2014, there were around 315 thousand with 56%, over 177 thousand being convicted criminals. For 2015, the number declined to 235 thousand deported, with an increased 59%, approximately 139 thousand convicted criminals removed. For Obama’s final year in office, 2016, there were a slightly raised 240 thousand removals. This number contained a 58% 138 thousand convicted criminals. This means a total of approximately 1.16 million illegal immigrants were removed under Obama’s final term. Of this 1.16m, over 670 thousand were previously convicted of a crime, or a 58% count of criminals. Over 4 years, this equates to 290 thousand deportations average.
Trumps Numbers
Now, let’s look at former President Donald Trump’s tenure in the oval office. In 2017, ICE reported 226 thousand deportations, with 56% of those, or approximately 128 thousand being prior criminal convictions. 2018 raised slightly to 226 thousand, with 57% of 145 thousand criminals deported. 2019 raised even more slightly to 267 thousand, including 56%, 150 thousand previously convicted individuals. Rounding out his term, for 2020, Trump’s last year in office dropped to 185 thousand deportations, including 56%, 103 thousand criminals. In his term, Trump’s term oversaw deportation of 935 thousand immigrants, with 526 thousand criminals, or 56% of the haul. Trump’s term averaged over 4 years about 234 thousand annual removals.
Bidens Numbers
Lastly, and it is of note that President Joe Biden’s final term year is not completed, thus 2024’s numbers are unavailable. However, starting in 2021, there were a record low 59 thousand deportations that year. There was, however, a record high 66%, 39 thousand criminals included in that. 2022 slightly rose to 72 thousand deportations, including 53% or 28 thousand prior convictions. Lastly, 2023 saw nearly a 100% increase over 2022, with 142 thousand deported. This included a much more modest 40% or 57 thousand previously convicted criminals. Over 3 years, the Biden Administration has overseen about 274 thousand illegal immigrants deported, including 134 thousand or 49% criminals. These 3 years have averaged 91 thousand deportations a year.
Many claims have been made stating the Trump administration has deported more illegal immigrants than any other president in history. However, the numbers show that over Trump’s presidency, he failed to meet the bar set by the Obama tenure. Trump’s numbers would need to combine with Biden’s to match Obama’s.
