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ICE announces FY 2013 removal numbers
98 percent of the agency's total removals were convicted criminals, recent border crossers, illegal re-entrants or those previously removed by ICE, in line with agency's enforcement priorities
WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the agency's fiscal year (FY) 2013 year-end removal numbers showing that 98 percent of removals met one or more of the agency's civil immigration enforcement priorities. These figures highlight ICE's ongoing commitment to primary immigration enforcement missions: the apprehension of criminal aliens and other immigration violators in the interior of the United States; and the detention and removal of individuals apprehended by ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) while attempting to unlawfully enter the United States.
This year, as part of an effort to enhance the manner in which it collects and reports enforcement statistics, ICE is also reporting where the individual was apprehended – an important indicator that helps ICE ensure it is operating in line with its identified priorities. This format builds on the refinements of prior years and provides enhanced detail and clarity regarding ICE's immigration enforcement operations.
"The FY2013 numbers make clear that we are enforcing our nation's laws in a smart and effective way, meeting our enforcement priorities by focusing on convicted criminals while also continuing to secure our nation's borders in partnership with CBP," said Acting Director John Sandweg. "Ninety eight percent of those removed in the last year met one of our key priorities – a record high and a testament to the men and women of ICE who are helping to implement a strong and focused immigration enforcement strategy."
In FY2013, ICE conducted a total of 368,644 removals, 235,093 of whom were apprehended while, or shortly after, attempting to illegally enter the United States, and 133,551 of whom were apprehended in the interior of the United States. Nearly 60 percent of ICE's total removals had been previously convicted of a criminal offense, and that number rises to 82 percent for individuals removed from the interior of the U.S. Other than convicted criminals, the agency's enforcement priorities include: those apprehended while attempting to unlawfully enter the United States, illegal re-entrants – individuals who returned to the U.S. after being previously removed by ICE – and immigration fugitives.
For a comprehensive breakdown of ICE's FY 2013 removal numbers, please visit our immigration enforcement webpage.
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