Getty Images
Calls to remove large numbers of migrants are a common theme at Trump campaign events. If re-elected, Donald Trump has promised to deport those without legal permission to be in the United States. While his campaign has given varying estimates on how many could be removed, his vice-presidential nominee JD Vance suggested starting with one million during an interview with ABC News.
However, experts point out significant legal and practical challenges to expelling such a large number of people. The Department of Homeland Security and Pew Research estimate there are around 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US, most of whom have been long-term residents.
Immigrants without legal status are entitled to due process, including a court hearing before deportation. Expanding deportations would likely overwhelm the immigration court system, which already faces backlogs. Additionally, local law enforcement plays a key role in identifying individuals for deportation, but many cities and counties have laws limiting cooperation with ICE.
Logistically, experts doubt the feasibility of mass deportations, noting the lack of resources and capacity within ICE. Deportation efforts in recent years have focused on those with criminal records or national security threats, rather than mass removal of migrants from the interior of the country.
The financial and political costs of mass deportations would be immense, with estimates running into tens or hundreds of billions of dollars. Building detention facilities, increasing removal flights, and detaining immigrants while awaiting hearings would all require significant investment.
While the idea of mass deportations has been discussed, experts question its practicality and effectiveness in addressing immigration issues. The challenges of legal, logistical, and financial nature pose significant obstacles to any large-scale deportation plan.