Fact check: What methods did the Obama administration use to count deportations?

1. Summary of the results

The Obama administration used several distinct methods to count deportations, primarily distinguishing between:

• Formal removals: Court-ordered deportations with legal consequences ^{[1] [2]}
• Returns: Less formal border returns without legal penalties, previously called "voluntary departures" ^{[1] [2]}
• Expedited removals: By 2013, these made up 44% of removals, allowing agents to deport without court proceedings ^[2]

The total numbers during Obama's presidency included:

• Approximately 3 million formal removals and 2 million returns, totaling 5 million deportations ^[1]
• 3.2 million deportations in his first term and 2.1 million in his second term ^[3]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual elements were not addressed in the original question:

• The administration deliberately shifted policy from informal returns to formal removals, which carry more serious legal consequences ^[2]
• The statistics exclude certain categories such as:
• Voluntary departures
• Transfers to third countries ^[4]
• The administration adopted a targeted approach, prioritizing:
• People convicted of serious crimes
• Recent arrivals ^[5]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question's simplicity could lead to misunderstandings about:

• Statistical complexity: The counting methodology was more nuanced than simple tallying, involving multiple categories and exclusions ^[4]
• Policy context: The numbers alone don't reflect the strategic shift in enforcement priorities under Obama ^[5]
• Political narrative: The administration, through officials like Cecilia Muñoz, emphasized the qualitative aspects of their approach, arguing it was more humane than previous administrations ^[5]

Those benefiting from different interpretations include:

• Immigration hardliners who might focus on total numbers
• Administration supporters who emphasize the "targeted" approach
• Immigration advocates who might highlight the increased use of formal removals with lasting legal consequences