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FACT BRIEF

Did the Biden-Harris administration attempt to suspend some deportations upon taking office?

By Tom Kertscher
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YES

President Joe Biden’s administration announced a 100-day suspension of the removal of certain undocumented immigrants on Jan. 20, 2021, the day Biden was inaugurated.

However, a judge blocked the “pause” days later.

Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance alluded to the suspension Sept. 17, 2024, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, blaming Vice President Kamala Harris.

The Homeland Security Department suspended removals — the mandatory departure of noncitizens out of the United States based on a formal order.

The department said it would review immigration enforcement practices during the pause, which did not apply to certain undocumented immigrants, such as suspected terrorists.

Days later, a Texas federal judge blocked the suspension, which had been challenged by Texas’ attorney general.

The Migration Policy Institute reported in June that deportations — including removals and other types of departures — under Biden are on track to match former President Donald Trump’s 1.5 million total.

See a full discussion of this at Wisconsin Watch
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Forbes Breaking News JD Vance Tears Into Kamala Harris At Campaign Event In Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Migration Policy Institute The Biden Administration Is on Pace to Match Trump Deportation Numbers—Focusing on the Border, Not the U.S. Interior
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Review of and Interim Revision to Civil Immigration Enforcement and Removal Policies and Priorities
Politico Federal judge deals Biden another blow on 100-day deportation ban
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.