01/31/2025
Operating in silence does not necessarily make one less harmful than a loud and outspoken individual. This principle holds true in American politics, particularly in the realm of immigration enforcement. What we have witnessed over the years is the ex*****on of existing immigration laws rather than the introduction of new ones. Constitutional rights cannot be altered with the stroke of a pen, and birthright citizenship remains intact, despite various attempts to challenge it. Historical efforts, such as the 1898 ruling in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, have reinforced this right, and recent court decisions have continued to block extreme measures that threaten it.
Now, let’s examine the history of deportations in the United States. The five U.S. presidents who oversaw the highest number of deportations are:
1. Barack Obama (2009–2017) – Holds the record for the highest number of deportations, surpassing 3 million removals. The peak year was 2013, with 438,421 deportations. Due to this record-breaking enforcement, Obama was nicknamed the “Deporter-in-Chief” by immigration advocates. Despite his administration’s high deportation numbers, he also implemented Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to provide relief to certain undocumented immigrants.
2. George W. Bush (2001–2009) – Deported approximately 2 million individuals, significantly increasing immigration enforcement measures during his presidency.
3. Joe Biden (2021–Present) – As of fiscal year 2024, his administration deported 271,000 individuals, the highest annual figure since 2014.
4. Donald Trump (2017–2021) – Despite his strict immigration stance, total deportations under his administration were under 1 million, with a peak of 267,000 in 2019. His policies focused heavily on restricting legal immigration and border enforcement.
5. Bill Clinton (1993–2001) – Oversaw a substantial increase in deportations, particularly after the passage of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, which made removal proceedings more stringent.
While immigration policies and rhetoric may differ among administrations, the enforcement of deportations has remained a constant factor in U.S. governance. Historical trends indicate that policies, court rulings, and administrative priorities shape the reality of immigration enforcement rather than political promises alone.
Just a gentle share that deportation is not new and has always been in existence and being carried out.
Photo credit: Immigration Impact
