US Deportations Reach Record High Under Biden Administration, With Over 270,000 Immigrants Removed

In the fiscal year 2024, the United States deported over 270,000 immigrants, marking the highest annual figure in a decade, according to a government report released on Thursday. This surge in deportations, nearly double the 142,580 removals in the previous year, reflects the Biden administration's heightened efforts to combat illegal immigration.

The report from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) revealed that deportations took place to 192 countries, including large numbers sent back to Central American nations like Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. With a total of 270,000 removals, the figure surpasses any of the deportation tallies during the Trump administration, though it still falls short of the 315,943 deportations recorded in 2014.

The rise in deportations under President Joe Biden came as part of a broader strategy to address the escalating numbers of illegal crossings at the US-Mexico border. The Biden administration has focused on improving deportation logistics, including increasing the frequency of deportation flights and streamlining procedures for sending individuals back to countries like Guatemala. These efforts have contributed to the substantial spike in removals.

Despite initially pledging to ease the harsh immigration policies of his predecessor, Biden’s administration has found itself intensifying enforcement actions due to the sustained high levels of illegal immigration. In contrast, former President Donald Trump had also pledged to increase deportations, aiming for record numbers during his time in office, a goal he has promised to pursue should he return to the White House in 2025.

While the Biden administration has overseen a rise in deportations, critics, including Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump’s 2024 campaign, argue that these efforts have not gone far enough to curb illegal immigration. Leavitt claimed that Biden's policies have failed to address the true scale of illegal immigration, suggesting that Trump’s plans would dwarf Biden’s deportation numbers by launching what she described as the “largest mass deportation operation” in US history.

Estimates suggest that as of 2022, around 11 to 14 million immigrants in the US either lacked legal status or were under temporary protections. With the Biden administration laying the groundwork for expanded immigration jails, these numbers could continue to shape immigration policy under future administrations.

While deportations have risen, the number of ICE arrests has declined by 33% compared to the previous year. This reduction in arrests is attributed to a shift in focus, with more ICE officers reassigned to border security efforts, where the Biden administration continues to contend with high numbers of migrants attempting to enter the US illegally.

The latest figures highlight the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement in the US, as both the Biden and Trump administrations confront the complexities of balancing legal immigration policies with national security concerns.