Joe Biden concludes his term with a record number of deportations in 2024

The acting president of the United States, Joe Biden, concludes his term with a record of 271,484 migrants deported during the fiscal year 2024.

It is the highest figure recorded in over a decade and surpasses any annual figure recorded by his predecessor, Donald Trump.

The data from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), published in its annual report, show that deportations in 2024 nearly doubled those of the previous fiscal year, when 142,580 people were expelled.

Moreover, they surpass the previous record of 267,258 deportees during the fiscal year 2019 under the Trump Administration.

This result reflects a hardening of immigration policies in the last year of the Biden Administration and an effort to expedite processes and improve diplomatic cooperation with receiving countries.

The largest increase in deportations in the last decade

The record number of deportations achieved by Biden contrasts sharply with the first two fiscal years of his administration, when the figures were significantly lower: 59,011 in 2021 and 72,177 in 2022.

This gradual increase has been attributed to a combination of factors, according to reports from the U.S. press:

Streamlining of processes:

ICE prioritized the deportation of recent migrants who entered the country illegally. According to the report, 82% of those deported in 2024 were individuals apprehended after crossing the border without authorization.

Expansion of deportation flights:

The Biden administration significantly increased flights to migrant-sending countries in Latin America, such as Mexico (which received 87,298 deportees), Guatemala (66,435), and Honduras (45,923).

Additionally, it established agreements with countries like China, which had not accepted U.S. deportations for years.

Diplomatic cooperation:

A greater willingness on the part of the countries that send migrants has allowed for an increase in the number of deportations.

In the words of Maureen Meyer, Vice President for Programs at the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), this collaboration was crucial in achieving the record.

Comparison with Previous Administrations: Trump and Obama

Although Biden's immigration approach was less aggressive in rhetorical terms than Trump's, the numbers for deportations exceeded those of his Republican predecessor.

During his previous term (2017-2021), Trump reached his peak in deportations in 2019, with 267,258 individuals expelled, but he failed to surpass the historical record of over 400,000 annual deportations set by Barack Obama in 2012.

In Biden's case, the increase in deportations is attributed to a series of administrative measures and international cooperation that contrast with the challenges faced by Trump, particularly due to the resistance from Democratic states and civil organizations against the mass raids he advocated.

However, both Biden and Obama, as well as Trump, shared the approach of prioritizing the removal of migrants with criminal backgrounds.

According to ICE, in 2024 a total of 88,763 deportees (32.7%) had criminal records.

Among the most common crimes, there were 47,885 violent assaults; 16,552 sexual offenses; 10,862 weapon-related crimes; 9,453 robberies; 2,699 homicides; and 2,423 kidnappings.

Despite these figures, critics point out that Biden's policies did not address the underlying issue of irregular immigration, and that the implementation of more restrictive measures to curb migration at the border was insufficient to stop crossings.

Political and economic factors behind the numbers

The increase in deportations under Biden coincides with a political context marked by Donald Trump's electoral campaign, who won the elections on November 5, 2024, with a platform focused on the largest mass deportation in the history of the United States.

However, experts warn that, although Trump promised to triple ICE funding and increase the capacity of detention centers from the current 41,000 beds to 100,000, logistical and legal challenges could hinder the implementation of his plans.

The Biden administration also attempted to increase funding for the agency through a bipartisan proposal in Congress, but this was blocked by Republicans who aligned with Trump's immigration policies.

Currently, the ICE has 6,000 agents, a number that has remained unchanged for a decade, and is facing what its acting director, Patrick J. Lechleitner, described as a "chronic lack of funding."

Impact on the sending countries and the United States

Cooperation with sending countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras was essential for the increase in deportations.

These countries, in addition to accepting more deportation flights, face challenges in reintegrating their deported citizens, many of whom arrive without work or family ties.

In the United States, mass deportations also generate controversy due to their impact on economic sectors such as agriculture and construction, which rely heavily on immigrant labor.

States like California, Illinois, and Maryland, which restrict their cooperation with federal immigration authorities, argue that deportations could lead to a shortage of workers in key industries.

Despite the increase in deportations, the measures implemented by Biden in June 2024 to curb the migratory flow achieved a significant reduction in encounters at the border with Mexico.

According to data from the CBP, illegal crossings reached their lowest level since July 2020, with 46,610 encounters in November 2024, a 76% decrease compared to November 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions about Deportations during Joe Biden's Administration