Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is projecting that, based on recent data, the number of undocumented immigrants deported from this country for fiscal year 2016 could be at its lowest levels in 10 years.

According to The Hill, President Obama is on pace to deport 230,000 undocumented immigrants this year. That is lower than FY 2015, when 235,413 deportations took place. Of that number, 139,368, or 59%, were convicted of a crime. ICE further reported that 63,539 of the criminal aliens were removed from the U.S. and the remainder were caught at or near the border. Of the 96,045 undocumented immigrants without a criminal record, 94% were apprehended at or near the border. Many of the immigrants were from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

According to ICE, in FY2008, at the start of Obama’s term, there were 369,221 deportations. Over the next few years, the number of undocumented immigrants who were deported rose steadily, hitting a peak of 409,849 in FY2012. Since then, the number of deportations declined; however, in each of the last five years, more than half of those who were removed from this country were convicted of a crime. The greatest percentage was in 2013, when 59% of the 368,644 deported aliens were criminals.

If you are living in the United States as a non-citizen and are fearful of facing deportation, the experienced immigration attorneys at Bretz & Coven LLP can help you gain Legal Permanent Resident status or deferred action. The firm will also defend you during removal proceedings and appeals. Call (212) 267-2555 in New York or (732) 313-0075 in New Jersey.