U.S. deportations up 65% since end of pandemic-era Title 42

Approximately 85,000 migrants have been deported or “repatriated” since Title 42 was lifted in May, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Per NBC News, the number represents a 65% increase in deportations from the same period last year.

When President Biden lifted the pandemic-era border restriction, government officials were expecting a steep increase in migrants coming into the country, but the administration has so far reported a 42% drop in illegal border crossings.

Meanwhile, other sources said the reality at the border is more complex, alleging that the number of migrants arriving in the U.S. is still high and that the Biden administration is ramping up deportations in response.

On Wednesday, part of the government’s effort was visible as over 100 migrants were loaded off buses and onto a chartered plane operated by ICE Air, which would to take them back to Honduras.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operates a program that charters multiple planes each week to return migrants back to their countries of origin.

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“The Department is sending a clear message about the consequences of coming to the United States and seeking asylum improperly,” said Miguel Vergara, director of the ICE Harlingen field office.

At the same time, the number of migrant families with children has nearly tripled in the past two months at the southern border.

Many of these border crossings are now being deemed “legal” because a mobile app has reportedly made it increasingly simple to schedule the proper appointments.

[ What the end of Title 42 means for immigration ]

“Our approach of expanding lawful pathways for people to reach the border and delivering consequences for those who arrive at our border irregularly is working,” said Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

But some Republican lawmakers feel the changes have not been nearly enough, with some even calling for Mayorkas’ impeachment over the issue.

“The reason they’re showing up at the ports of entry is because you’ve got the turnstile open,” said Republican Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz. “So long as they’ve downloaded this app, you just let them in.”

The Biden administration maintains that updated immigration protocols have improved the situation, but critics argue the numbers are misleading and migrants are simply being categorized differently.