Trump Doubles Down on Mass Deportation Plan Amid Constitutional and Economic Concerns

In the final stretch of the presidential campaign, former President Donald Trump is intensifying his commitment to executing the most significant mass deportation in U.S. history. Speaking at a rally in Reading, Pennsylvania, Trump received enthusiastic applause after pledging to “get these people out” and “deport them so rapidly.” Days later, in Aurora, Colorado, Trump reiterated similar sentiments, promising to “rescue Aurora and every town that has been invaded.”

However, experts in immigration, economics, and law have raised serious concerns about the feasibility and consequences of Trump’s proposal, which aims to deport approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants. A CBS News analysis reveals that the plan poses significant constitutional, humanitarian, and financial challenges, making it highly improbable to carry out within a single presidential term.

The Cost of Deporting 11 Million Immigrants

According to the CBS News analysis, apprehending and deporting just 1 million undocumented immigrants would cost an estimated $20 billion. Extrapolating this to Trump’s target of 11 million would push the total cost to over $216 billion in four years—more than 20 times what the U.S. typically spends annually on deportations. This staggering figure highlights the severe economic implications of Trump’s mass deportation plan.

Even during Trump’s presidency, when border crossings were fewer, the cost of deporting one person averaged $14,614. The pandemic further increased this cost due to a reduction in deportations, raising the per-person expense.

Executing this plan would require significant new funding, likely necessitating congressional approval. Current budgets allocated to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would cover only a fraction of the expenses required.

Legal and Logistical Barriers

Beyond the financial challenges, Trump’s mass deportation plan faces substantial legal hurdles. His administration would need to dramatically expand immigration courts and enforcement infrastructure. Currently, U.S. immigration courts face a backlog of over 3.7 million cases, with years-long processing times. Deporting 11 million immigrants would swell this backlog to an estimated 13.5 million by 2028, making timely deportations nearly impossible.

Trump’s plan to involve local law enforcement also presents complications. Many cities have refused to cooperate with ICE, citing concerns over civil liberties and the impact on immigrant communities. Experts warn that such mass deportations could lead to racial profiling and civil rights violations.

Economic and Social Fallout

The economic fallout from deporting millions of immigrants could be severe. A study by the Peterson Institute for International Economics found that deporting 1.3 million undocumented immigrants could reduce U.S. GDP and lower employment by 0.8% by 2028. Deporting over 8 million people would lead to a 5.1% reduction in employment, dealing a significant blow to the U.S. economy.

Undocumented immigrants contribute approximately $96.7 billion annually in federal, state, and local taxes. Deporting them would not only cut this revenue but also weaken social services like Medicaid and Social Security, which benefit from these contributions.

Impact on Mixed-Status Families

The social cost of mass deportation is equally alarming. Over 4 million families in the U.S. are mixed-status, meaning they include both citizens and undocumented members. Around 4.4 million U.S.-born children live with at least one undocumented parent. Deporting these parents would tear families apart.

Children of deported parents often experience emotional trauma, behavioral issues, and economic hardship. Many are forced to leave school or fall into poverty, while the remaining family members struggle to make ends meet without primary breadwinners. The human toll of such a deportation plan is a sobering reminder of its broader social implications.

Conclusion

Trump’s renewed mass deportation pledge may rally his base, but its execution is fraught with legal, financial, and social obstacles. The astronomical costs, coupled with the profound human impact on millions of families, make it unlikely that such a plan could be fully realized within a single four-year term.