In a dramatic turn of events, US deportations in 2024 surged to the highest levels recorded in a decade, according to a U.S. government report released on Thursday. The increase marks a significant shift in immigration enforcement under outgoing President Joe Biden, whose administration had initially vowed to adopt more lenient policies compared to his predecessor, Donald Trump.
The report by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) revealed that 271,000 immigrants were deported to 192 countries in the fiscal year ending September 30. This figure surpasses any year during Biden’s tenure and even exceeds deportations carried out during Trump’s presidency.
The Political Landscape of Deportations
President Biden, a Democrat, assumed office in 2021 on a platform promising to reverse the stringent immigration policies of the Trump administration. However, as illegal immigration levels rose, his administration shifted toward a tougher enforcement stance, leading to the record deportation numbers seen in 2024.
In a stark contrast, Trump, who recently secured a second term in office, has promised an even harsher crackdown. His spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, criticized Biden’s efforts, stating, “On day one, President Trump will fix the immigration and national security nightmare that Joe Biden created by launching the largest mass deportation operation of illegal criminals in United States history.”
Key Data and Trends
The ICE report highlights several critical developments:
- Deportations in 2024: ICE deported 271,000 individuals, the highest annual tally since 2014.
- Comparative Context: This figure surpasses the 267,000 deportations under Trump in fiscal year 2019 and far exceeds numbers during Biden’s earlier years.
- Arrests Decline: Despite increased deportations, ICE arrests of immigrants living illegally in the U.S. dropped by 33% compared to 2023. The agency attributed this decline to the reassignment of officers to assist with border security.
Biden’s enforcement measures have also included a sharp increase in returns of immigrants to Mexico. These returns outpaced any year under Trump’s administration, signaling a broader strategy to address immigration challenges.
The Growing Immigrant Population
Estimates indicate that 11 million immigrants lacked legal status or held temporary protections in 2022. Analysts now suggest this number has grown to between 13 and 14 million, reflecting the ongoing complexity of the immigration landscape.
Trump’s incoming administration has signaled plans to leverage federal resources for an expansive deportation initiative, aiming to outpace his first term’s efforts. While Trump’s previous attempts to ramp up deportations saw limited success, his renewed commitment to stricter immigration policies is likely to spark significant debate.
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