Despite the tough immigration rhetoric often associated with President Donald Trump's administration, data indicates that aerial deportations have not seen a significant rise compared to the tenure of his predecessor, Joe Biden. An analysis by The New York Times reveals that between January 20 and March 19, 2025, the Trump administration conducted 60 deportation flights to Guatemala. This number is slightly lower than the 65 flights recorded during Biden's final months in office. A similar trend appears in Colombia, where flights decreased from 20 under Biden to 16 under Trump.
In contrast, some countries experienced a minor increase in deportations during this period. Honduras received 55 flights under Trump, compared to 47 with Biden, while El Salvador saw an increase to 25 flights, up from Biden's 15. Conversely, Mexico experienced a reduction in deportation flights under Trump (31) compared to Biden (42).
Notably, deportations to Cuba have remained limited to just two flights under both administrations, suggesting that deportation policies toward the island are more restrained than for other countries in the region. Despite the increased measures against the Cuban migrant community, the data shows no drastic shift in the number of deportations from the United States.
The recent measures introduced by the White House have sparked concern among the Cuban community in the U.S. One significant action includes the revocation of the "humanitarian parole" program, which allowed temporary entry and stay for migrants from countries like Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela on humanitarian grounds. This decision, announced in March, could potentially impact around 530,000 individuals, leaving them vulnerable to deportation as they lose their legal status and protection.
Additionally, the Trump administration has indefinitely suspended the processing of immigration applications for those benefiting from "humanitarian parole" and family reunification programs, leading to uncertainty among thousands of Cubans who relied on these avenues to regularize their status in the U.S.
Just this Thursday, 60 irregular migrants—55 men and five women—arrived in Havana on a deportation flight from the United States. During the first month of Donald Trump's second term, 37,660 deportations were recorded, a number significantly lower than the monthly average of 57,000 expulsions during Biden's last year in office. This decrease in deportations is attributed to the gradual implementation of new strategies and international agreements by the Trump administration. Although initially lower, it is expected that these figures may rise in the coming months as these policies continue to be developed by the U.S. government.
Questions About U.S. Deportation Policies Under Trump
Why have deportations not increased under Trump's administration?
Deportations haven't increased significantly under Trump due to the gradual implementation of new strategies and international agreements, which have initially resulted in lower deportation numbers.
What is the impact of revoking the 'humanitarian parole' program?
Revoking the 'humanitarian parole' program could affect approximately 530,000 individuals, putting them at risk of deportation as they lose their legal status and protection in the U.S.
How have deportation flights to Cuba changed under Trump?
Deportation flights to Cuba have not changed significantly under Trump, remaining at two flights for both Trump's and Biden's administrations, indicating a more limited deportation policy towards Cuba.