The number of immigrant deportations on President Barack Obama 's watch fell to an all-time low this past year , according to a new border patrol report . As border crossings continue to rise , deportations dropped by about 14 percent in the year that ended Sept. 30 compared to the year before , according to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement draft report first obtained by the L.A. Times and published Thursday . Nearly 316,000 people were removed from the U.S. A slowdown of deportations might help Obama score higher the Latino community , which overwhelmingly voted for Obama over his GOP challengers , but have been critical of the president 's deportation policies , some even calling him a `` Deporter in Chief . '' Over the course of his presidency , Obama 's administration has deported about 2 million people -- putting him on track to have deported more illegal immigrants than any other President in history . His popularity in the Latino community has inched up since he issued an executive order last month . The action would limit deportations for about 5 million people . While this policy is favored by most Americans , 56 % said they opposed Obama 's use of executive action . Poll : Obama 's immigration policy popular , but approach is n't . House Republicans have approved a measure to challenge Obama 's executive order -- and these new deportation numbers could also add fuel to the fire for Congressional Republicans , who say that less deportations will lead to more illegal immigration . `` We essentially tell citizens of other countries , 'If you come here , you can stay -- do n't worry , we wo n't deport you , ' '' said Rep. Michael McCaul ( R-Texas ) , chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee , in a statement to the L.A. Times . `` The reality on the ground is that unless you commit multiple crimes , the chances of your being removed from this country are close to zero . '' Immigration anger fuels House vote . Eighty-five percent of immigrants deported during the year from within the country had a criminal conviction , according to the report . In a statement to CNN , Gillian Christensen , the agency 's press secretary , said that I.C.E . 's effort `` prioritizes the removal of convicted criminals and recent border entrants . '' That squares with Obama 's dedication to focus on `` felons , not families , '' as he said in his executive action speech , honing in on criminal offenses instead of more broad sweeping deportation policies . Christensen noted that numerous factors might contribute to fluctuating year-to-year data , including local court decisions , migration patterns and scheduling air transportation . Most deported immigrants were sent back to their home country : Mexico . Notably , higher than usual numbers of immigrants crossing the border in the past year came from countries other than Mexico , including Guatemala , Honduras and El Salvador , the report reveals , potentially making the process to obtain travel documents and book flights to distant locations more complicated and more expensive .
President Obama deported immigrants at an all-time low rate during the past year . Nearly 316,000 people were removed , according to report obtained by the L.A. Times . These details add fuel to the fire for GOP politicians who oppose Obama 's executive order .