Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportations in Fiscal Year 2024 reached levels comparable to the Trump administration, coinciding with a significant increase in the number of illegal immigrants not held in ICE detention. ICE's annual report reveals 271,484 deportations to 192 countries, with 32.7% having criminal records and 237 identified as known or suspected terrorists. This marks a substantial rise from approximately 142,000 deportations in FY23 and around 72,000 in FY22.

While total deportations are up, the number of deportations stemming from ICE's interior arrests stands at 47,000, a slight increase from 44,255 in FY23 and 28,204 in FY22. However, this figure is considerably lower than the 62,739 deportations in FY20 (Trump's last full year) and 85,958 in FY19. ICE attributes this disparity to resource allocation challenges, citing the need to divert personnel to the southern border to address the ongoing migrant crisis and an increase in individuals released into the interior.

The report also highlights a dramatic increase in the number of illegal immigrants on ICE's non-detained docket, which has more than doubled since the end of the Trump administration, reaching almost 7.7 million. This docket includes individuals in deportation proceedings not held in ICE custody but potentially under federal, state, or local custody or monitoring. This includes those apprehended and released at the border awaiting court dates and those with deportation orders from immigration judges. A significant portion of this docket comprises over 701,000 Venezuelan nationals, with only a small fraction (1,470) in ICE detention.

The incoming administration has signaled its intention to increase deportations, reversing Biden-era ICE restrictions and initiating a large-scale deportation campaign. This plan, central to Trump's 2024 campaign, has garnered mixed reactions, facing opposition from some Democrats while receiving support from others in cities grappling with the influx of migrants.

Despite a surge of over 500,000 unaccompanied migrant children entering the U.S. during the Biden administration, only 411 were removed in FY24, a slight increase from 212 in FY23 but significantly less than the 4,000+ removed in FY20.