Trump Claims Cost Won't Deter Plan for Mass Deportations
In one of his first interviews since his election win, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has reasserted his commitment to a sweeping immigration crackdown. Speaking with NBC News, Trump promised to prioritize a “strong and powerful” border, emphasizing that financial considerations would not hinder his plans. “It’s not about the price tag. We simply have no choice,” he remarked, targeting immigrants linked to serious crime and the broader issue of undocumented immigration.
While Trump’s team has hinted at different deportation numbers, his Vice President-elect, J.D. Vance, has stated they will begin with the removal of one million undocumented immigrants. Trump partly credits this firm stance on immigration for his electoral success, saying it resonated with Americans who “want borders” and value lawful entry to the country.
Yet, legal experts are skeptical, noting the substantial challenges facing any mass deportation effort. Current estimates suggest around 11 million undocumented immigrants live in the U.S., many of whom have been residents for more than a decade. By law, undocumented immigrants are entitled to due process before deportation, meaning they must appear before an immigration judge. This would further strain an already backlogged immigration court system, requiring significant resources.
Local cooperation presents another hurdle. Many of the largest U.S. cities have policies limiting police cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a stance often found in “sanctuary cities.” Kathleen Bush-Joseph, an analyst with the Migration Policy Institute, notes that cooperation from local law enforcement is crucial for a mass deportation effort. She highlighted how local authorities, such as Florida’s Broward and Palm Beach counties, have recently stated they would not assist in mass deportation operations.
Trump’s plan would likely face immediate legal challenges from immigration and human rights groups. A Supreme Court decision in 2022 could, however, allow deportation policies to proceed even as lawsuits make their way through the courts.
Logistical concerns compound the issue. Interior deportations in recent years have focused on those with criminal records. In fact, during Biden’s administration, ICE generally prioritized deporting migrants at the border over those living deeper in the country. Experts like Aaron Reichlin-Melnick from the American Immigration Council argue that to deport one million people in a year would demand resources ICE simply lacks, from personnel to detention facilities and transportation logistics.
Trump has floated the idea of involving the National Guard or other military resources to support the deportation effort, though military involvement in domestic immigration enforcement is limited. Additionally, Trump suggested that police may need immunity from potential lawsuits to enforce the crackdown effectively.
On top of logistical and legal hurdles, financial estimates for such a program are high. The cost of deporting even a fraction of undocumented residents could soar into the billions. The ICE budget for transportation and deportation alone was $420 million in 2023, supporting around 140,000 deportations that year.
Furthermore, Trump’s proposals extend beyond deportation: he has also called for continued work on the southern border wall, a naval blockade to curb drug trafficking, and even military troop movements to the border. Adam Isacson, a migration expert, cautioned that widespread deportations could trigger significant political backlash, especially if they result in high-profile media coverage of separated families and community disruptions.
Mass deportation efforts aren’t unprecedented in the U.S. history, with past programs like the 1954 “Operation Wetback” targeting Mexican nationals. However, many experts argue that such comparisons fall short due to differing demographics and legal standards today. Unlike the 1950s, the current immigrant population is highly diverse, coming from various countries beyond Mexico, making deportation logistics far more complex.
While Trump maintains his deportation push is essential, the feasibility of such an operation remains a point of contention among analysts, with logistical, legal, and political factors complicating the path forward.
