Fact check: Which administration had the lowest deportation numbers in the last two decades?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the available data, the Biden administration had significantly higher deportation numbers than the Trump administration, contrary to common political narratives. The analyses reveal that deportations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reached a 10-year high in fiscal year 2024 under the Biden administration, with over 271,000 unauthorized immigrants deported ^[1]. This figure surpassed the Trump-era high recorded in 2019 ^[1].

The data shows a clear pattern when comparing monthly averages: the Biden administration maintained an average of 57,000 removals and returns per month in its last full year, while the Trump administration deported 37,660 people in its first month ^[2]. Even more telling, Trump deported around 11,000 migrants in February [2025], compared to over 12,000 in February 2024 under Biden ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks crucial context about what constitutes "deportations" and how different administrations may categorize removals differently. The analyses suggest that the Trump administration struggled to increase deportation levels despite campaign promises ^[4], and that Trump's goal of 1 million deportations annually may be difficult to achieve ^[5].

Political stakeholders benefit differently from various narratives:

• Immigration advocacy groups benefit from highlighting Biden's high deportation numbers to criticize Democratic policies
• Trump supporters benefit from downplaying actual deportation data to maintain the narrative of being "tougher" on immigration
• Media organizations benefit from sensationalizing immigration stories regardless of actual data

The analyses also reveal that while deportation numbers were lower under Trump, ICE arrests have doubled and detention numbers are at an all-time high under the current Trump administration ^[6], suggesting different enforcement strategies rather than simply lower activity.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The question itself contains an implicit bias by assuming that lower deportation numbers indicate a particular administration's policy stance. This framing ignores several critical factors:

• Different enforcement strategies: The Trump administration may focus more on detention and processing rather than immediate deportation
• Resource allocation: Higher deportation numbers under Biden may reflect better funding and coordination of ICE operations ^[1]
• Legal processing differences: The analyses mention suspension of most asylum applications under Trump ^[7], which could affect how removals are categorized

The question also fails to account for economic and demographic impacts, such as California's potential loss of congressional seats and the reliance of certain industries on undocumented labor ^[8]. This broader context is essential for understanding why deportation numbers alone don't tell the complete story of immigration enforcement effectiveness.