Trump Allies Prepare for Large-Scale Deportation Plan as Immigration Policy Shift Looms
Following Donald Trump’s victory in the recent election, his allies and private sector associates are quietly preparing for a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, potentially including large-scale deportations. Trump’s campaign emphasized immigration reform, with a focus on interior enforcement beyond the border wall priority from 2016. As president-elect, his day-one agenda includes reinstating previous border policies and rolling back those established by President Joe Biden, as confirmed by Trump adviser Jason Miller.
Preliminary discussions within Trump’s team suggest a targeted approach, focusing initially on undocumented immigrants with criminal records. However, sources say the administration may also consider policies affecting “Dreamers,” or those brought to the U.S. as children under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This marks a potential departure from previous bipartisan support for Dreamers, which could provoke significant public and political debate.
Former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Tom Homan, who may return to a leadership role in immigration, emphasized the strategy would involve specific, targeted arrests rather than sweeping raids, aimed at reducing potential backlash. Senior Trump adviser Brian Hughes underscored Trump’s victory as a mandate for strengthened border security and deportation efforts.
Logistical and Financial Challenges Ahead
Implementing large-scale deportation presents substantial logistical and financial hurdles, particularly regarding detention space, which has historically been limited. The government contracts private firms and county jails to manage facilities, but funding remains a critical issue. In 2016, ICE reported the cost of deporting one undocumented immigrant averaged $10,900, a figure that has since increased, exacerbating funding challenges for ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, which has faced budget constraints in the past.
“Orders of magnitude” increases in budget allocation will be required to achieve Trump’s stated goals, according to a former senior ICE official, especially given the need for increased personnel and infrastructure. Contracted detention providers may assist in expediting this process, though deportations to certain countries can be delayed by bureaucratic requirements.
Mixed Reactions at the Department of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is anticipating major policy reversals. Among DHS staff, reactions range from optimism to concern, with some welcoming a return to Trump-era policies while others brace for potential upheaval of programs initiated under Biden, including certain temporary parole programs for specific nationalities. While the Biden administration recently implemented stricter border control measures that have reduced migrant crossings, the incoming administration’s approach could reverse much of this framework.
With weeks remaining before Trump assumes office, DHS officials and Trump allies are expected to intensify preparations, signaling a potential new chapter in U.S. immigration policy.