Freshness note: This analysis was last updated 11 days ago. Fast-moving policy claims can change quickly, so check for newer official updates before relying on this verdict.
“Joe Biden reversed a policy of deporting people in the country illegally who have committed felonies”
Summary
Biden administration immigration enforcement policies maintained felony convictions as a deportation priority throughout his term. Department of Homeland Security guidance from 2021 explicitly listed serious criminal conduct, including felonies, as enforcement priorities, continuing rather than reversing previous deportation policies for convicted felons.
Primary Sources
DHS memorandum establishing that individuals who pose threats to public safety, including those convicted of serious criminal offenses, are enforcement priorities
ICE data showing deportations of individuals with criminal convictions continued during Biden administration
Initial ICE guidance identifying national security threats, recent border crossers, and public safety threats including serious criminals as priorities
Rated the claim False, noting Biden's policies continued to prioritize deportation of serious criminals including felons
Evidence Supporting the Claim
- Biden administration implemented a priority-based enforcement system that focused resources on specific categories rather than all immigration violations
- Some critics argued that the prioritization framework reduced overall deportations compared to previous administration levels
Evidence Against / Context
- DHS Secretary Mayorkas September 2021 memo explicitly listed individuals convicted of aggravated felonies and other serious crimes as top enforcement priorities
- February 2021 interim guidance designated public safety threats, including those engaged in or suspected of terrorism or serious criminal conduct, as priorities for removal
- Biden administration enforcement priorities included national security threats, public safety threats with felony convictions, and recent border crossers
- ICE continued to conduct arrests and removals of individuals with serious criminal convictions throughout the Biden administration
- The policy framework represented a shift in prioritization rather than elimination of felon deportations
Timeline
Biden inaugurated as President
ICE issued interim civil immigration enforcement priorities memo identifying serious criminals as enforcement priorities
DHS Secretary Mayorkas issued comprehensive enforcement priorities memo maintaining focus on public safety threats including felons
Updated DHS enforcement priorities took effect
What This Means
Structured interpretation — not opinion
Key takeaway 1
The Biden administration modified immigration enforcement to focus on priority categories rather than pursuing all removable individuals equally
Key takeaway 2
Individuals convicted of felonies, particularly serious or aggravated felonies, remained explicitly identified as enforcement priorities under Biden administration policy
Key takeaway 3
The claim describes a reversal that did not occur, as deportation of convicted felons continued to be official policy throughout the Biden administration
Key takeaway 4
The policy change involved resource allocation and prioritization methodology rather than eliminating felon deportations as an enforcement goal
Related Claims in Immigration
“ICE killed 9 people in detention in 2026”
Nine deaths occurred in ICE detention facilities between October 2025 and early 2026, according to ICE records. The characterization of these as ICE 'killing' detainees is disputed, as deaths resulted from various causes including medical conditions, suicide, and complications, though advocates point to inadequate care and conditions as contributing factors.
“ICE killed 9 people in 2026”
The claim that ICE killed 9 people in 2026 cannot be verified as 2026 has not yet occurred. As of March 2026, only a portion of the year has elapsed. ICE detention center deaths are tracked by the agency and reported annually, but attributing deaths directly to ICE as killings requires specific evidence of causation and intent that would need case-by-case examination.
“A deaf Bay Area boy and his family were deported to Colombia without his hearing aids”
California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond confirmed that a deaf student from the Bay Area was deported to Colombia with his family and does not have his hearing aids with him. Thurmond publicly called on the Trump administration to return the family to the United States.