US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has deported a record 271,484 immigrants in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, according to a newly released annual report. This marks the highest level of deportations since 2014.
The Biden administration’s approach to immigration policy focused on public safety and national security threats, resulting in more removals than during his first two years in office. Most of these deportations were made of individuals who crossed the US-Mexico border illegally, reflecting the challenge faced by the agency at the southern border.
ICE removed people from nearly 200 countries worldwide, with a significant number having criminal histories. The agency also arrested over 113,000 immigrants last fiscal year, including those with pending criminal charges.
President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to make mass deportation a cornerstone of his administration has raised concerns about limited resources and personnel at ICE. Tom Homan, the incoming “border czar,” is seeking increased funding to bolster the agency’s detention capacity to 100,000 beds and more agents.
The report highlights the complexities of immigration policy under Biden, including diplomatic efforts with countries like China, which led to an increase in accepted removal flights. The data underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to address the issues faced by ICE in enforcing immigration laws.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/19/politics/biden-deportations-report/index.html