U.S. Deportations at Highest Level in Decade, ICE Report Shows
The number of deportations carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reached its highest level in over a decade, according to a recent report. The agency deported a total of 267,254 individuals in the 2020 fiscal year, a significant increase from the 193,887 deportations recorded in 2019.
The report found that the majority of those deported were Mexican nationals, with a total of 75,402 being sent back to Mexico. This represents a significant increase from the previous year, when ICE deported 41,453 Mexican nationals.
The report also showed that a significant number of deportations were of individuals who had previous criminal convictions, with 42,563 (16.1%) having been arrested prior to being deported. Additionally, a total of 14,419 (5.4%) had been charged with a violent crime, including murder, rape, and kidnapping.
The increase in deportations is attributed to a combination of factors, including a surge in the number of detained immigrants and an increased focus on enforcing immigration laws by the Trump administration. ICE has also faced criticism for its treatment of immigrants, with many alleging that the agency is engaging in excessive use of force and mistreatment of detainees.
The report’s findings have been met with both praise and criticism. Some have hailed the increase in deportations as a success, arguing that it reflects a necessary step to address the country’s immigration crisis. Others, however, have criticized the rise in deportations, arguing that it is misguided and inhumane.
