Can Trump pull all of this off?
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, has raised important questions about the feasibility of President-elect Donald Trump’s ambitious mass deportation plan. Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, Thune acknowledged that while the desire to deport illegal immigrants is clear, the sheer scale of the operation may face significant challenges. “Is it realistic to deport everybody?” Thune asked. “I mean, there are a lot of people in this country who are here illegally.”
Donald Trump has made mass deportation a cornerstone of his immigration agenda. Throughout his campaign, he promised to enact the “largest mass deportation program” in U.S. history, aiming to remove millions of illegal immigrants immediately upon taking office. Key components of his strategy include ending the controversial “catch-and-release” policy, scrapping the CBP One app, and reinstating the “Remain in Mexico” program. Trump’s tough stance on immigration has been central to his appeal among Republican voters, who are deeply concerned about border security and the rule of law.
Thune, who will play a critical role in ensuring the necessary funding for such an ambitious plan, emphasized that anyone who has committed a crime should be prioritized for deportation. Additionally, he pointed out that more than a million people are already on the Biden administration’s deportation list, suggesting that the process could begin with them. Trump’s team has also indicated that criminal offenders would be the primary focus, which aligns with the party’s broader focus on law and order.
However, the cost and scale of this effort cannot be ignored. Experts estimate that deporting a million individuals annually could cost upwards of $88 billion a year. This would require significant resources to expand detention facilities, border enforcement, and immigration courts. With approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., the task of deporting them all would require an unprecedented mobilization of resources and personnel.
While some argue that the economic consequences could be severe—especially if millions of workers were deported—Republican leaders like Thune remain committed to ensuring a secure border. As Thune put it, “We are a nation of immigrants, but first and foremost, we are a nation of laws. You’ve got to follow the law.”
Trump’s return to the White House is expected to result in swift action on border security. According to sources in Customs and Border Protection, the new administration is prepared to sign a series of executive orders aimed at securing the southern border within the first 24 hours of taking office. As the new administration takes shape, Republicans are ready to work together to restore order and uphold America’s immigration laws.