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Fact check: How many illegal aliens were deported during the biden adminstration
1. Summary of the results
The analyses provided do not directly answer the question about total deportations during the Biden administration. Instead, they focus on comparative data between the Biden and Trump administrations, revealing some surprising findings [1] [2] [3].
Key findings include:
- Biden's deportation rates were higher than early Trump administration numbers: Biden's daily average was 742 removals compared to Trump's 661 daily average from January 26 to March 8, making Trump's rate 10.9% lower [2]
- Monthly comparisons show Biden outpacing Trump initially: The last full year of Biden's administration averaged 57,000 monthly removals and returns, while Trump deported 37,660 people in his first month back in office [3]
- ICE deported around 12,000 migrants in February 2024 under Biden, compared to about 11,000 in February under the returning Trump administration [1]
The official government sources mention ICE statistics and monthly enforcement data but do not provide the specific total deportation numbers for the Biden administration that would directly answer the question [4] [5].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
Several critical pieces of context are absent from the original question and the available analyses:
- No total deportation figures for the Biden administration are provided, despite this being the core question asked
- Seasonal and policy variations in deportation numbers are not addressed - deportation rates can fluctuate significantly based on policy changes, resource allocation, and external factors
- The definition of "illegal aliens" versus other immigration categories is not clarified, which could affect the accuracy of any numbers provided
- Comparison baselines are missing - without historical context from previous administrations beyond Trump, it's difficult to assess whether Biden's numbers were high or low relative to long-term trends
Political stakeholders who might benefit from emphasizing different aspects of this data include:
- Republican politicians and conservative media who would benefit from highlighting any increases in deportations under Trump or decreases under Biden
- Democratic politicians and progressive organizations who might emphasize that Biden's deportation rates were actually higher than Trump's in certain periods
- Immigration advocacy groups on both sides who use these statistics to support their respective policy positions
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The original question uses the term "illegal aliens," which is considered by many to be politically charged language. More neutral terms include "undocumented immigrants" or "people without legal status." This terminology choice suggests a particular political framing of the issue.
The question assumes that comprehensive deportation data for the Biden administration is readily available and straightforward to provide. However, the analyses reveal that deportation statistics are complex and often presented in comparative rather than absolute terms [1] [2] [3].
Additionally, the framing focuses solely on deportation numbers without considering other aspects of immigration enforcement, such as border security measures, asylum processing, or alternative enforcement methods, which could provide a more complete picture of immigration policy effectiveness during the Biden administration.