Fact check: Do we know if any seriously ill children were deported by Obama

1. Summary of the results

Based on the available analyses, there is no direct evidence that the Obama administration deported seriously ill children. In fact, one source indicates that the Obama administration did not deport seriously ill children ^[1]. The Department of Homeland Security explicitly stated that DHS is not deporting American children, providing examples where mothers with deportation orders chose to bring their American citizen children with them when removed from the country ^[2].

The Obama administration did implement policies affecting immigrant families and children, including:

• Ending deportations of certain young undocumented immigrants through programs like DACA ^[3]
• Awarding grants to private prison companies to establish case management alternatives to detention for families ^[4]
• Opening family detention centers in Texas, which faced criticism from advocacy groups ^[5]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important context about the Obama administration's broader immigration policies and their impact on families:

• The ACLU documented the Obama administration's "horrifying deportation record" and its impact on families and children, though not specifically addressing seriously ill children ^[6]
• The administration faced a humanitarian crisis with unaccompanied minors crossing the US border, requiring urgent action and resources ^[7]
• Immigration advocacy groups criticized the administration's partnerships with private prison companies for family detention, raising concerns about treatment and access to services for mothers and children ^{[4] [5]}
• The administration had to balance enforcement policies with humanitarian concerns, particularly during the surge of child migrants

Private prison companies would benefit financially from expanded family detention programs, while immigration advocacy organizations would benefit from highlighting potential abuses to advance their reform agenda.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question appears neutral but may carry an implicit assumption that such deportations occurred. The phrasing "Do we know if..." suggests there might be evidence of such deportations, when the available sources indicate the opposite.

The question also lacks specificity about:

• What constitutes "seriously ill" - chronic conditions, terminal illnesses, or acute medical needs
• Whether it refers to American citizen children, undocumented children, or both
• The distinction between voluntary departure with parents versus forced deportation

The sources consistently show that when American children left the country, it was because their parents chose to bring them rather than being separated, contradicting any narrative of forced deportation of children ^[2].