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Fact check: Has Obama and Biden deported more immigrants than Trump?

Checked on September 12, 2025

1. Summary of the results

The original statement asks whether Obama and Biden have deported more immigrants than Trump. According to the analyses, the answer is yes, the Obama and Biden administrations have deported more immigrants than the Trump administration [1]. The Biden administration is on track to match the number of deportations carried out during the Trump administration, with 1.1 million deportations since fiscal year 2021 [2]. The Trump administration's deportation numbers are still lagging behind those of the Obama administration, with an average of 14,700 deportations per month since February, compared to a monthly average of 36,000 in 2013, the year with the most deportations during the Obama administration [3]. The Obama administration prioritized the removal of immigrants who posed a danger to public safety or national security, and the number of deportations under Obama was higher than under Trump [1]. The Trump administration's actual number of removals is around 72,000, which is lower than the Biden administration's record [4].

  • Key statistics:
  • 1.1 million deportations since fiscal year 2021 under the Biden administration [2]
  • 14,700 deportations per month under the Trump administration [3]
  • 36,000 deportations per month in 2013 under the Obama administration [3]
  • 72,000 removals under the Trump administration [4]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Some analyses suggest that the Trump administration's deportation numbers are lower due to the prioritization of arrests over removals [5]. The Biden administration's deportation numbers are also influenced by the inclusion of expulsions and other actions to block migrants without permission to enter the US [2]. Additionally, the Obama administration's deportation numbers were higher due to the prioritization of removals of immigrants who posed a danger to public safety or national security [1]. The sources also highlight the challenges faced by the Trump administration in implementing mass deportations [6]. Alternative viewpoints include the consideration of the Trump administration's plans for mass deportations and the potential impact on immigrant communities [6]. The sources also mention that the Biden administration's daily removals have been higher than the Trump administration's, with an average of 742 removals per day, compared to the Trump administration's average of 661 removals per day [7].

  • Missing context:
  • Prioritization of arrests over removals under the Trump administration [5]
  • Inclusion of expulsions and other actions in the Biden administration's deportation numbers [2]
  • Prioritization of removals of immigrants who posed a danger to public safety or national security under the Obama administration [1]
  • Challenges faced by the Trump administration in implementing mass deportations [6]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be misleading as it does not provide context on the deportation numbers under each administration. The sources suggest that the Obama and Biden administrations have deported more immigrants than the Trump administration, but the numbers are influenced by various factors such as prioritization of arrests over removals and the inclusion of expulsions and other actions [2] [1]. The Trump administration may benefit from the lack of context, as their deportation numbers appear lower compared to the Obama and Biden administrations. On the other hand, the Obama and Biden administrations may benefit from the comparison, as their deportation numbers appear higher. The sources also highlight the potential bias in the Trump administration's plans for mass deportations and the impact on immigrant communities [6]. Overall, the original statement requires more context and clarification to provide an accurate comparison of deportation numbers under each administration [2] [1].

Want to dive deeper?
What were the deportation numbers under the Obama administration?
How did the Biden administration change immigration enforcement policies?
What was the total number of deportations during Trump's presidency?
How do deportation numbers compare between the Obama, Biden, and Trump administrations?
What role did ICE play in deportation enforcement under each administration?