Trump's "Mass Deportation" Plan Faces Logistical Hurdles
A one-time operation to deport these immigrants would cost at least $315 billion.
President-elect Donald Trump has once again confirmed his plan to deploy military forces in his bid to carry out the largest deportation effort in U.S. history.
Trump’s comment comes on the heels of long-standing promises made during his campaign, where he frequently said he would mobilize the National Guard and enlist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in what he described as a sweeping initiative to remove millions of undocumented migrants from the country.
His new statement reinforces his pledge to begin the deportation process immediately after taking office on January 20, 2025.
However, questions are mounting over the practicality of such a plan. Experts warn that even if the legal and political hurdles are cleared, the sheer scale of the operation could overwhelm existing resources.
With ICE staffing at about 20,000 agents, critics argue it would be difficult, if not impossible, to track and deport the millions of undocumented migrants living across the country.
Financial costs also present a major challenge. Trump has suggested that his administration would not be deterred by the potentially massive price tag of executing such a policy, but experts predict the logistical and economic burdens would be staggering.
According to the American Immigration Council, About 11 million undocumented immigrants lived in the United States as of 2022—3.3 percent of the country’s overall population. An additional 2.3 million removable immigrants were released into the United States between January 2023 and April 2024 and would also be targeted in any mass deportation operation.
A one-time operation to deport these immigrants would cost at least $315 billion.
As Trump continues to announce key appointments for his incoming administration, his mass deportation plan is likely to remain one of the most controversial and closely watched aspects of his presidency.
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