Barack Obama:
Over his two terms, from 2009 to 2017, Obama’s administration deported approximately 3 million undocumented immigrants through formal removal orders. Including returns at the border, the total number of deportations or removals was significantly higher, around 5.3 million. This includes both formal deportations and less formal border returns.
Donald Trump:
During his single term from 2017 to 2021, Trump’s administration deported around 1.5 million undocumented immigrants. This figure includes both removals and returns but excludes Title 42 expulsions, which were used extensively to turn migrants away at the border without formal deportation proceedings. Including Title 42 actions, the number would be higher, but direct deportation numbers were lower compared to Obama’s administration.
Joe Biden:
Up to January 2025, Biden’s administration deported around 1.49 million undocumented immigrants through formal removal processes. However, if you include returns and the use of Title 42 expulsions (until its end in May 2023), Biden’s administration has overseen approximately 4 million deportations or removals. Under Biden, Colombia accepted 475 deportation flights, more than 120 in 2024 alone, and all without a trade war.