Fact check: What were the specific deportation numbers under Obama versus Trump administrations?

1. Summary of the results

The deportation numbers between Obama and Trump administrations show significant differences. Under Obama's presidency (2009-2016):

• Approximately 3.2 million immigrants were deported through formal removal orders ^[1]
• Total deportations including voluntary returns reached 5.24 million ^[2]
• His first term saw 3,160,140 deportations, while his second term had 2,871,899 ^[3]
• 2013 was a notable year with 438,421 deportations ^[1]

For Trump's administration (2017-2020):

• Approximately 1.2 million people were deported through removal orders ^[2]
• An additional 805,770 either self-deported or were turned away at the border ^[2]
• The highest monthly total was 91,120 in October 2020 ^[4]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual elements need to be considered:

• Obama holds the record for most deportations of any U.S. president in history ^[2]
• There's a distinction between formal removals and voluntary returns, which affects how total deportation numbers are calculated ^[3]
• The numbers vary between sources, with some reporting Trump's first term deportations at 2.1 million ^[4], while others put it at 1.2 million ^[2]
• Obama's highest annual total was 973,937 in 2009 ^[4]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The question itself oversimplifies a complex issue. Several factors could lead to misinterpretation:

• Different sources use different counting methods, making direct comparisons challenging
• Some counts include only formal removals, while others include voluntary returns and border turnaways
• Political groups often use these statistics selectively to support their narratives:
• Conservative groups might focus on Trump's border security measures
• Liberal groups might use Obama's higher numbers to counter anti-immigration criticism
• Immigration advocacy groups might use either administration's numbers to argue for reform

The data should be viewed in the context of each administration's broader immigration policies and the different circumstances they faced during their terms.