Key insights

• 💸 Cost estimate for Trump's deportation plan is up to $315 billion
• 🚦 Plan involves potentially deporting around 13 million immigrants over four years
• 🔍 Conservative estimate puts the cost at $162 billion
• 📊 Challenging scale for the government to execute
• 📈 Significant increase in deportation numbers needed over previous administrations
• 🗣️ Debates on the cost and tradeoffs of mass deportation
• 💼 Underfunding of government agencies for detention and border missions
• 🛠️ Challenges and potential economies of scale in deportation process

Q&A

• How many removal flights did ICE have in fiscal year 2023, and what was the average cost per flight?

  ICE had around 1,000 removal flights in fiscal year 2023, with an average cost of $117,000 per hour. The plan involves multiple assets, including private contractors, ICE aircraft, and assets from the Justice Department and the military. The cost will likely be spread out over several years, and getting enough funding from Congress is crucial.

• What is needed for the mass deportation process to be carried out effectively?

  The mass deportation process requires more immigration judges, courtrooms, and support staff, as well as efficient use of detention space and cost-effective removal arrangements.

• Why are softsided facilities for immigration detention considered expensive?

  The construction and operation of softsided facilities for immigration detention are expensive, involving private contractors, family detention, and the need for minimum standards and services for children. Repurposing existing detention centers and the use of third countries could reduce costs.

• Why are at-large arrests logistically complicated and expensive?

  At-large arrests are logistically complicated and expensive, requiring multiple federal agents and lacking judicial warrants for immigration violations. ICE would need over 30,000 new law enforcement agents and would face significant costs for detention.

• What are the debates surrounding the cost and logistics of mass deportation?

  Debates include the cost and tradeoffs of mass deportation, underfunding of government agencies for detention and border missions, challenges and potential economies of scale in the deportation process, targeted arrests focusing on criminals and those in law enforcement custody, consideration of exceptions such as dreamers for potential arrests, and differing opinions on the actual cost and efficiency of mass deportation.

• Why would the scale of the deportation operation be challenging for the government?

  The scale of the deportation operation is challenging for the government, necessitating a significant increase in deportation numbers over previous administrations.

• How many immigrants are potentially involved in Trump's deportation plan?

  The plan involves potentially deporting around 13 million immigrants over four years.

• What is the estimated cost of Donald Trump's deportation plan?

  The cost of Donald Trump's deportation plan is estimated at up to $315 billion, with a more conservative estimate putting the cost at $162 billion.

• 00:00 The cost of Donald Trump's deportation plan is estimated at up to $315 billion, involving the potential deportation of around 13 million immigrants over four years. Even a more conservative estimate puts the cost at $162 billion. The scale of the operation is challenging for the government, and the plan necessitates a significant increase in deportation numbers over previous administrations.
• 01:34 The cost and logistics of mass deportation are being debated, with expert opinions varying on the actual expense and efficiency of the process.
• 03:06 At-large arrests are logistically complicated and expensive, requiring multiple federal agents and lacking judicial warrants for immigration violations. ICE would need over 30,000 new law enforcement agents and face significant cost for detention.
• 04:40 The construction and operation of softsided facilities for immigration detention are expensive, involving private contractors, family detention, and the need for minimum standards and services for children. Repurposing existing detention centers and the use of third countries could reduce costs.
• 06:15 The mass deportation process requires more immigration judges, courtrooms, and support staff, as well as efficient use of detention space and cost-effective removal arrangements.
• 07:58 ICE had around 1,000 removal flights in fiscal year 2023, with an average cost of $117,000 per hour. The plan for deportation involves multiple assets, including private contractors, ICE aircraft, and assets from the Justice Department and the military. The cost will likely be spread out over several years, and getting enough funding from Congress is crucial. Senate Republicans prioritize border funding, but the narrow majority makes spending on this scale no guarantee. Resistance to rational deportation policy may come with consequences.