Fact Check: Clinton deported 10m and Obama 3m illegal aliens

The Claim: "Clinton deported 10m and Obama 3m illegal aliens"

Introduction

The assertion that former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama deported 10 million and 3 million illegal aliens, respectively, has circulated in political discourse, particularly among critics of immigration policies. This claim raises questions about the accuracy of deportation statistics and the context surrounding immigration enforcement during their administrations.

What We Know

1. Deportations Under Clinton: According to a report by the Migration Policy Institute, during Bill Clinton's presidency from 1993 to 2001, approximately 12 million individuals were either removed or returned from the U.S. However, this figure includes both formal deportations and voluntary returns, which complicates the interpretation of the data 7. The Washington Post also notes that the numbers cited by politicians often conflate these categories, leading to inflated claims about actual deportations 1.

2. Deportations Under Obama: Barack Obama's administration, from 2009 to 2017, is reported to have deported over 3 million individuals. A fact-check by Snopes confirms that this figure is accurate, with approximately 75% to 83% of these deportations being individuals with criminal records 5. The New York Times also corroborates this figure, highlighting the significant impact of Obama's immigration policies 4.

3. Contextual Factors: The context of these deportations is crucial. Under Clinton, the increase in deportations was partly a response to rising illegal immigration and the establishment of more stringent immigration enforcement policies. Similarly, Obama's administration faced significant political pressure to address illegal immigration, leading to a focus on deporting individuals with criminal backgrounds 69.

Analysis

The claim that Clinton deported 10 million individuals and Obama deported 3 million warrants a critical examination of the sources and methodologies used to derive these figures.

• Source Reliability: The Migration Policy Institute is a reputable organization that provides data-driven analysis on immigration issues, making its reports on deportations under Clinton and Obama credible 7. In contrast, sources like the Washington Post and Snopes are also reliable, as they are established news organizations known for fact-checking and investigative journalism 15.

• Potential Bias: The context in which these claims are made can introduce bias. Politicians may use these figures to support their immigration agendas, which could lead to selective interpretation of data. For instance, the claim that Clinton deported 10 million may stem from a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the total number of removals versus formal deportations 19.

• Methodological Concerns: The methodology behind calculating deportation figures can vary significantly. The distinction between deportations and voluntary returns is critical; conflating these categories can lead to inflated numbers. For instance, the Migration Policy Institute's analysis differentiates between formal deportations and voluntary departures, which is essential for an accurate understanding of the data 710.

• Contradicting Evidence: While the claim about Obama's deportations is well-supported, the figure attributed to Clinton is more contentious. Some analyses suggest that the total number of removals during Clinton's presidency includes a significant number of voluntary returns, which may not accurately reflect the number of individuals forcibly deported 69.

Conclusion

Verdict: Mostly False

The claim that Bill Clinton deported 10 million illegal aliens is largely exaggerated and misleading. While it is true that during his presidency, a significant number of individuals were removed from the U.S., this figure conflates formal deportations with voluntary returns, which skews the interpretation of the data. The credible estimates suggest that around 12 million individuals were either removed or returned, but this does not equate to 10 million formal deportations.

In contrast, the figure of over 3 million deportations attributed to Barack Obama is well-supported by multiple reliable sources, including Snopes and the New York Times. However, it is important to note that a substantial portion of these deportations involved individuals with criminal records, reflecting a targeted approach to immigration enforcement during his administration.

The limitations of the available evidence highlight the complexities of immigration statistics and the potential for misinterpretation. The conflation of different categories of removals can lead to inflated claims, particularly in politically charged discussions.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider the context and methodology behind statistical claims, especially in the realm of immigration policy, where data can be used selectively to support various narratives.

Sources

1. Washington Post. "Ted Cruz gets it very wrong on recent presidents ..." Link
2. Wikipedia. "Deportation and removal from the United States." Link
3. AP News. "AP FACT CHECK: Sour notes on immigration, security in ..." Link
4. New York Times. "3 Million People Were Deported Under Obama. What Will ..." Link
5. Snopes. "US deported more than 3M people during Obama presidency." Link
6. Migration Policy Institute. "The Obama Record on Deportations." Link
7. CNN. "Obama deportations vs. Trump: Context is everything." Link
8. CNN. "Obama deportations vs. Trump: Context is everything." Link
9. Truth or Fake. "Fact Check: Who deported the most illegal aliens, Obama, Clinton, or ..." Link
10. Cato Institute. "Deportation Rates in Historical Perspective." Link