Exploring the US Migrant Deportation Spike: 270,000 in a Year
In the fiscal year 2024, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported 271,484 individuals, marking the highest number of removals since 2014.
This figure represents a significant increase from previous years, nearly doubling the 142,580 deportations recorded in fiscal year 2023.
The majority of those deported had entered the U.S. illegally via the southern border, with approximately one-third facing criminal charges or convictions.
This surge in deportations is attributed to an increase in deportation flights, including operations conducted on weekends, and streamlined procedures for repatriating individuals to countries such as Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.
Notably, Mexico was the most common destination for deportees, followed by Guatemala and Honduras.
Despite this increase in deportations, ICE arrests of undocumented immigrants decreased by 33% compared to the previous year, as more officers were redirected to border security operations.