Trump Pledges $88 Billion Deportation Plan Targeting 11 Million Immigrants

Jan 20, 2025, 03:38 AM

President Donald Trump has reiterated his commitment to a sweeping immigration crackdown, announcing plans for the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. Speaking at a "Make America Great Again Victory Rally" on the eve of his inauguration, Trump pledged to impose severe immigration limits starting on his first day in office. The plan aims to target millions of unauthorized immigrants, with enforcement expected to begin immediately after he takes the oath of office. Trump emphasized that the operation would halt what he described as an "invasion" of the country. However, experts and officials have noted significant logistical, legal, and financial challenges to implementing such a large-scale operation. These include resistance from sanctuary cities, a $230 million budget shortfall for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and potential lawsuits from civil rights groups. The initiative is estimated to cost $88 billion and will require addressing the estimated 11 million unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. Trump's administration plans to prioritize the deportation of individuals with criminal records but has signaled that no unauthorized immigrant will be exempt from enforcement. ICE's current resource limits, including a shortage of detention beds and personnel, pose additional obstacles. The initiative may also involve the expansion of expedited removal policies and diplomatic negotiations with other countries to facilitate deportations.