US immigration authorities removed over 270,000 migrants during the last financial year, according to official figures released Thursday. The report, marking the final annual tally under President Joe Biden, shows that removals are higher than at any point in the past decade, surpassing the figures seen during Donald Trump’s first term as president.
The majority of the individuals removed had crossed the southern border illegally, with around a third facing criminal charges or convictions, as outlined in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) report.
The data covers the 12 months leading up to the end of September, a period that coincided with Trump’s presidential campaign, where migration control was a central theme. He pledged to enact the largest deportation operation in US history if elected, aiming to remove millions of undocumented migrants once he assumes office on January 20.
Trump’s proposal, which capitalised on the unsubstantiated claim that migrants commit more crimes than US citizens, resonated with voters. However, experts have questioned the feasibility of the plan, citing concerns over its high cost and impracticality, given current staffing levels.
Illegal border crossings surged following Biden’s inauguration, but recent months have seen a sharp decline due to stricter asylum policies. Estimates suggest that between 11 and 15 million people are living in the US without legal authorisation, though Trump and his supporters believe the number is much higher.
Many undocumented workers contribute to the economy, often in industries such as agriculture, housing, and social care, where there is a heavy reliance on migrant labour. Opponents of Trump’s proposed crackdown argue that mass deportations could severely impact the economy, creating labor shortages that would drive up prices and undermine his promises to reduce inflation.
