Fact check: Total number of deportations under Trump administration.

1. Summary of the results

The total number of deportations under the Trump administration requires careful contextualization. During Trump's first term, approximately 1.2 million people were deported through removal orders, with an additional 805,770 self-deportations or border turnaways ^[1]. Recent data shows ICE conducting 190 deportation flights in May 2024, averaging about 850 deportees per day ^[2], while earlier in 2024, the rate was lower at 555 deportees per day between January and March ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several crucial contextual elements need consideration:

• Historical Comparison: Obama actually holds the record for deportations with nearly 3 million removals during his eight years, while Biden's administration has recorded 4,677,460 removals as of July 2024 ^[4].
• Data Transparency Issues: The Trump administration has been less transparent about deportation data compared to previous administrations ^[3], with conflicting numbers between ICE and DHS reports ^[5].
• Economic Impact: Mass deportation carries significant economic implications, with estimates suggesting a cost of $315 billion for a one-time deportation of all undocumented immigrants ^[1].
• Current Scope: Of an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants (as of mid-2022), Trump's current plan targets approximately 1.5 million individuals, primarily focusing on those with criminal records and denied asylum claims ^[6].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The question of total deportations is more complex than raw numbers suggest:

• Counting Methodology: Numbers are complicated by different counting methods and the inclusion of "self-deportations" through the CBP One Home app ^[5].
• Political Rhetoric vs. Reality: While Trump has promised "millions and millions" of deportations, actual numbers have been significantly lower ^[7]. The administration's target of 1,200-1,500 daily arrests has not been consistently met ^[7].
• Implementation Challenges: Logistical challenges and resource limitations significantly impact the ability to conduct large-scale deportations ^[4], making raw numbers potentially misleading without this context.