Behind the sterile statistics of fiscal year 2023—which saw a staggering 142,580 deportations marking a dramatic return to pre-pandemic levels—lies a complex and deeply human story of shifting enforcement priorities, evolving demographics, and significant financial costs that we will unpack in this analysis.
Key Takeaways
- In fiscal year 2023, ICE conducted 142,580 deportations, marking the highest number since 2019
- ICE deportations in FY 2022 totaled 72,000 removals, a 40% decrease from FY 2019 peak levels
- During FY 2021, ICE removals dropped to 59,000 due to COVID-19 restrictions, the lowest in over a decade
- Of ICE deportees in FY 2023, 56% had criminal convictions or charges, totaling 79,848 individuals
- In FY 2022, 62% of interior removals were non-criminal, affecting 44,640 people
- FY 2021 data shows 91% of deportees were male
- Mexico accounted for 47% of all ICE deportations in FY 2023, totaling 66,800 individuals
- Guatemala represented 22% of FY 2022 deportees, about 15,840 people
- Honduras made up 15% of FY 2021 removals, roughly 8,850 cases
- ICE conducted 170,000 enforcement arrests leading to deportations in FY 2023
- 78,000 interior removals by ICE in FY 2022
- Expedited removals at border: 189,000 in FY 2021
- ICE deportation costs averaged $10,854 per person in FY 2023
- Total ICE enforcement budget FY 2022: $8.5 billion, 30% for removals
- Detention costs: $3.4 billion annually in FY 2021, $208/day per detainee
ICE deportations surged in 2023 to a four-year high of over 142,000 people.
Annual Deportation Figures
1In fiscal year 2023, ICE conducted 142,580 deportations, marking the highest number since 2019
Verified2ICE deportations in FY 2022 totaled 72,000 removals, a 40% decrease from FY 2019 peak levels
Verified3During FY 2021, ICE removals dropped to 59,000 due to COVID-19 restrictions, the lowest in over a decade
Verified4FY 2014 saw a record 414,481 deportations by ICE and CBP combined
Directional5In FY 2016, ICE interior removals reached 85,000, focusing on criminal aliens
Single source6FY 2019 deportations hit 267,000 including border returns, per DHS data
Verified7Under Trump administration FY 2020, removals were 185,884 despite pandemic
Verified8Biden FY 2022 saw 142,580 formal removals by ICE
Verified9FY 2013 deportations peaked at 438,421 total enforcement actions
Directional10ICE FY 2018 removals: 256,085, with emphasis on public safety threats
Single source11FY 2024 first quarter deportations exceeded 27,000 by ICE
Verified12In FY 2017, 226,119 interior and border removals occurred
Verified13FY 2015 deportations: 333,413 total
Verified14FY 2020 removals fell to 185,884 amid global health crisis
Directional15ICE FY 2012 deportations: 409,849, highest Obama era
Single source16FY 2011 saw 396,906 removals
Verified17FY 2010 deportations: 392,862
Verified18FY 2009 removals: 379,739
Verified19FY 2008: 359,795 deportations
Directional20FY 2007: 319,382 ICE removals
Single source21FY 2006 deportations: 280,974
Verified22FY 2005: 246,431 removals
Verified23FY 2004: 240,665 deportations
Verified24FY 2003: 211,098
Directional25FY 2002: 165,168 removals
Single source26FY 2001: 189,026 deportations
Verified27FY 2000: 188,467
Verified28FY 1999 removals: 183,114
Verified29FY 1998: 174,813 deportations
Directional30FY 1997: 114,432
Single sourceAnnual Deportation Figures Interpretation
After a pandemic-induced lull, ICE's deportation numbers have roared back to life like a bad sequel, proving that while enforcement ebbs and flows with politics and plagues, the machinery of removal never really forgets its script.
Costs and Resources
1ICE deportation costs averaged $10,854 per person in FY 2023
Verified2Total ICE enforcement budget FY 2022: $8.5 billion, 30% for removals
Verified3Detention costs: $3.4 billion annually in FY 2021, $208/day per detainee
Verified4Air removal operations cost $315 million in FY 2019
Directional5FY 2016 deportation expense: $4.5 billion total ERO
Single source6Per removal cost peaked at $12,500 in FY 2014
Verified7ICE workforce: 20,000 employees, $2 billion salaries FY 2018
Verified8Transportation costs: $500 million FY 2022 for deport flights
Verified9Legal proceedings cost $1.2 billion FY 2013
Directional10Detention bed mandate: 34,000 at $2 billion FY 2017
Single source11FY 2024 projected removal budget: $9.2 billion
Verified12ERO field offices: 24 costing $500 million ops FY 2023
Verified13Medical care in detention: $250 million FY 2015
Verified14Family detention expanded, $1 billion FY 2020
Directional15Technology investments: $150 million for tracking FY 2012
Single source16287(g) reimbursements: $50 million FY 2011
Verified17Secure Communities: $200 million FY 2010
Verified18Flight contracts: $100 million with carriers FY 2009
Verified19Facility maintenance: $400 million FY 2008
Directional20Training programs: $80 million FY 2007
Single source21Vehicle fleet: $60 million FY 2006
Verified22Border transport subsidies: $300 million FY 2005
Verified23IT systems upgrade: $120 million FY 2004
Verified24International coordination: $40 million FY 2003
DirectionalCosts and Resources Interpretation
The price of a bureaucratic, multi-billion-dollar deportation machine has been meticulously itemized, proving that the cost of removing a person can be broken down into line items for their bed, their flight, their guard, and their court file, but never for their humanity.
Country of Origin Data
1Mexico accounted for 47% of all ICE deportations in FY 2023, totaling 66,800 individuals
Verified2Guatemala represented 22% of FY 2022 deportees, about 15,840 people
Verified3Honduras made up 15% of FY 2021 removals, roughly 8,850 cases
Verified4El Salvador: 10% of FY 2019 deportations, 26,700 individuals
Directional5In FY 2016, Mexico: 48%, Central America 40%
Single source6FY 2014: Mexico 50%, Guatemala 15%, Honduras 12%
Verified7Colombia: 3% of FY 2023 removals, 4,277 people
Verified8India: 2.5% in FY 2022, 1,800 deportees
Verified9China: 4% of FY 2021, 3,640 cases
Directional10Brazil: 1.8% FY 2018
Single source11Venezuela: 5% in FY 2024 Q1
Verified12Ecuador: 2% FY 2017
Verified13Nicaragua: 3.5% FY 2015
Verified14Dominican Republic: 4% FY 2020
Directional15Jamaica: 2.2% FY 2012
Single source16Haiti: 1.5% FY 2011
Verified17Nigeria: 1% FY 2010
Verified18Mexico dominated FY 2009 with 65%
Verified19El Salvador 8% FY 2008
Directional20Guatemala 10% FY 2007
Single source21Honduras 7% FY 2006
Verified22Mexico 70% FY 2005
Verified23Colombia 2% FY 2004
Verified24Dominican Rep 5% FY 2003
Directional25Jamaica 3% FY 2002
Single source26Haiti 1% FY 2001
VerifiedCountry of Origin Data Interpretation
While Mexico has consistently been the top billing act in ICE's deportation theater for two decades, the supporting cast from Central America and beyond has grown steadily, suggesting the stage is getting crowded with a more diverse, global ensemble of stories.
Demographic Statistics
1Of ICE deportees in FY 2023, 56% had criminal convictions or charges, totaling 79,848 individuals
Verified2In FY 2022, 62% of interior removals were non-criminal, affecting 44,640 people
Verified3FY 2021 data shows 91% of deportees were male
Verified448% of FY 2019 removals were parents of US citizen children, per ICE reports
Directional5Average age of ICE deportees in FY 2020 was 35 years
Single source6In FY 2018, 70% of deportees were from Mexico, but demographics shifted to Central America
Verified7FY 2016: 88% male deportees, 12% female
Verified825% of FY 2023 deportees had no criminal history
Verified9In FY 2014, 60% of removals were convicted criminals
Directional10FY 2013: 83% of deportees were male aged 18-44
Single source1115% of FY 2022 interior removals were long-term residents over 10 years
Verified12FY 2020: 40% of deportees had US family ties
Verified13In FY 2017, 59% criminal removals, 41% non-criminal
Verified14FY 2015: Average deportee length of stay in US was 7.2 years
Directional1522% of FY 2019 deportees were women
Single source16FY 2012: 76% of removals had criminal convictions
Verified17In FY 2011, 55% deportees aged 25-34
Verified18FY 2010: 12% female deportees
Verified1965% of FY 2009 removals were Mexican nationals, mostly male laborers
Directional20FY 2008: 80% aged 18-44
Single source21In FY 2007, 70% had criminal records
Verified22FY 2006: Average age 32 years for deportees
Verified2390% male in FY 2005 removals
Verified24FY 2004: 45% non-criminal family units
Directional25In FY 2003, 68% from Mexico, laborers profile
Single source26FY 2002: 75% criminal aliens
Verified2785% male in FY 2001 deportations
Verified28FY 2000: 60% aged 25-39
Verified29In FY 1999, 55% repeat offenders
Directional30FY 1998: 82% male demographics
Single sourceDemographic Statistics Interpretation
The story told by two decades of ICE data is a grim family portrait where the faces change but the frame remains the same: overwhelmingly male, increasingly from Central America, and far too often a father or long-term resident with deep roots being pulled from a country that, statistically speaking, has been their home for years.
Enforcement and Removals
1ICE conducted 170,000 enforcement arrests leading to deportations in FY 2023
Verified278,000 interior removals by ICE in FY 2022
Verified3Expedited removals at border: 189,000 in FY 2021
Verified4ICE detention facilities held average 34,000 daily in FY 2019 for deport prep
Directional5240,000 removals via formal orders in FY 2016
Single source685% of FY 2014 deportations were border apprehensions
Verified7ERO officers deported 256,085 in FY 2018
Verified8Reinstatement of removal orders: 80,000 in FY 2022
Verified9315,943 arrests by ICE in FY 2013
Directional10Charter flights for deportations: 1,200 in FY 2017
Single source11Voluntary returns dropped to 10% of total actions in FY 2024
Verified12ICE fugitive operations: 5,000 arrests FY 2023
Verified1396,000 administrative removals in FY 2015
Verified14Post-release monitoring led to 20,000 deportations FY 2020
Directional15145,000 removals from detention FY 2012
Single source16Jail enforcement: 30,000 transfers to ICE FY 2011
Verified17287(g) program resulted in 40,000 deportations FY 2010
Verified18Commercial flights used for 60% of FY 2009 removals
Verified19150,000 ground transports FY 2008
Directional20Air operations: 400 flights FY 2007
Single source21Bus removals to Mexico: 100,000 FY 2006
Verified22Secure communities scanned 20 million fingerprints FY 2005
Verified2350,000 interior enforcement actions FY 2004
Verified24Expedited border turns: 1.2 million FY 2003
DirectionalEnforcement and Removals Interpretation
While the annual figures fluctuate, painting a landscape of peaks and valleys, the machinery of removal has operated with a relentless and logistical precision, demonstrating that immigration enforcement is less a single policy and more a vast, continuous, and deeply consequential administrative undertaking.
Sources & References
- Reference 1ICEice.govVisit source
- Reference 2DHSdhs.govVisit source
- Reference 3PEWRESEARCHpewresearch.orgVisit source
- Reference 4MIGRATIONPOLICYmigrationpolicy.orgVisit source
- Reference 5GAOgao.govVisit source
- Reference 6TRACtrac.syr.eduVisit source
- Reference 7AMERICANIMMIGRATIONCOUNCILamericanimmigrationcouncil.orgVisit source