Fact check: What was the average daily population of immigration detention centers during Obama's presidency?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the available analyses, there is limited specific data about the average daily population of immigration detention centers during Obama's presidency. The most direct answer comes from one source, which reports that the average daily population of migrants in detention centers under Obama's administration was between 30,000 and 40,000 ^[1].

Additional context shows that detention capacity expanded significantly during this period. By 2011, the system was detaining 429,000 individuals per year, compared to 202,000 in 2002 under the previous INS system ^[2]. The detention bed capacity increased by 89 percent from 18,000 beds in FY 2003 to 34,000 beds during Obama's tenure, with nearly half of those beds contracted from private prison companies ^[2].

For family detention specifically, the Department of Homeland Security maintained approximately 3,800 mothers and children in detention when new facilities were being added to existing capacity ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important contextual information about the dramatic expansion of immigration detention infrastructure that occurred during Obama's presidency. The analyses reveal that Obama's administration significantly increased detention capacity and annual detention numbers compared to previous administrations ^[2].

Private prison companies benefited substantially from this expansion, as nearly half of the 34,000 detention beds were contracted to private facilities ^[2]. This represents a significant financial opportunity for corporations in the private prison industry.

The question also omits the controversial expansion of family detention centers, including facilities like Dilley, which was designed to detain 480 mothers and children initially, with plans to expand to 2,400 beds ^[3]. Civil liberties organizations like the ACLU actively opposed these expansions, arguing they put vulnerable populations at risk.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question appears neutral and factual in its framing, simply requesting statistical information. However, it may inadvertently minimize the broader policy implications by focusing solely on daily population numbers rather than the systematic expansion of detention infrastructure that occurred during this period.

The question could benefit from acknowledging that detention conditions were described as "atrocious" under Obama and became "so much worse under Trump" ^[1], suggesting that the daily population figure alone doesn't capture the full scope of immigration detention policy impacts during this administration.