The efforts to deport illegal immigrants are well underway. There’s way more on the way.
Because the Trump admin has announced eyebrow-raising deportations news.
Trump Administration Pushing For Faster Mass Deportations
The Trump administration is moving forward with aggressive efforts to scale up deportations across the United States, working to build the infrastructure and logistical networks necessary to facilitate the removal of tens of millions of undocumented immigrants. As Congress works to approve additional resources for this massive undertaking, the pace of deportations is ramping up, but several challenges remain in terms of both capacity and funding.
Early figures from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) initially projected that the agency would arrest approximately one million people by the end of Trump’s second term. However, the Trump administration has set its sights on a much larger goal, with the president pledging to remove as many as 20 million individuals—twenty times the original estimate. Despite this ambitious target, the current pace of arrests has slowed due to the overwhelming demands on existing infrastructure.
Increasing arrests, detention capacity, outbound flights, and logistical operations is expected to be a costly endeavor. While Trump has indicated that “there is no price tag” for the effort, Congress will ultimately need to approve the necessary funding, which may prove challenging given the narrow divisions within the legislative chambers. In the meantime, senior officials within the administration are working tirelessly to speed up operations.
One of the most controversial and high-profile aspects of the administration’s deportation strategy involves the expansion of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, traditionally known for housing detainees from the War on Terror. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth recently traveled to the facility to survey its potential for accommodating deportees. While Guantanamo has long been used to house detained immigrants, the Trump administration envisions expanding its capacity to hold at least 30,000 individuals.
There have already been a few deportation flights to Guantanamo Bay, with the administration recently transferring some detainees to Honduras for further transport to Venezuela. However, efforts to ramp up the facility’s capacity have faced hurdles. Initial plans to use tents to expand capacity were scrapped after concerns that they did not meet the necessary standards. During his visit to the facility, Hegseth was accompanied by media personalities such as Laura Ingraham, who helped promote the administration’s deportation efforts.
“A major mission is underway—moving illegal immigrants seeking asylum out of the U.S. Stay tuned,” Hegseth posted on social media, underscoring the urgency of the deportation operations.
Private Contractors Enter the Picture
Amid these developments, private companies are exploring opportunities to become involved in the deportation process. Erik Prince, the former CEO of the military contracting firm Blackwater (now renamed Academi), has proposed a $25 billion private project aimed at deporting 12 million people by the 2026 midterm elections. This proposal, backed by a group of military contractors, envisions the use of private planes, facilities, and personnel to facilitate deportations. The 2026 midterm elections are seen as a critical deadline, after which Republicans could lose control of one or both chambers of Congress, potentially stalling future deportation efforts.
The proposal, outlined in a memo obtained by Politico, points out that the pace of deportations under Trump’s current strategy would require a 600% increase in activity. The memo suggests that it is unlikely that the federal government could scale its internal resources to meet such demands, and that outsourcing to private contractors would be necessary.
“To keep pace with the Trump deportations, it would require a 600% increase in activity,” the memo read. “It is unlikely that the government could swell its internal ranks to keep pace with this demand in order to process this enormous number of deportations, the government should enlist outside assistance.”
This proposal highlights the ongoing role of private contractors in U.S. immigration and security efforts. Companies like Blackwater, which has since rebranded as Academi, have a history of providing security services in conflict zones like Iraq. These contractors are now looking to apply their expertise to the mass deportation efforts.
The potential cost of Trump’s deportation plan is significant, and it’s unclear how Congress will manage to allocate the necessary funds. A report from Politico coincided with a House vote on a budget resolution that would set the stage for broader legislation funding Trump’s border and tax priorities. However, the narrow margins in the House of Representatives have raised doubts about the feasibility of a comprehensive package. Internal divisions within the Republican Party have complicated the process, despite Trump’s public endorsement of the House’s proposed plan.
The House passed its plan in a 217-215 vote, with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) being the lone GOP holdout. However, Trump’s endorsement has not been enough to ensure full Republican support. Meanwhile, the Senate has already approved a budget proposal from Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) that would allocate hundreds of billions of dollars toward border security and deportations. The reconciliation process, however, is ongoing, and significant differences between the House and Senate proposals could delay or derail final passage.
One potential factor that could ease the burden on the deportation process is the significant decline in illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border. In late February, Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks confirmed that illegal border crossings had decreased by 94% compared to the previous year. This reduction is attributed to several factors, including the reinstatement of the “Remain-in-Mexico” policy under Trump’s executive orders, enhanced security measures, and the president’s tough stance on immigration.
Additionally, a phenomenon known as “self-deportation” has gained traction, with many undocumented immigrants choosing to leave the U.S. voluntarily rather than risk arrest, deportation, and the permanent loss of the opportunity to return legally. The exact volume of voluntary departures remains unclear, but it appears to be a growing trend, particularly as the administration’s rhetoric around deportations intensifies.
Any major immigration announcements from the Trump administration will be brought to you here on The Federalist Wire.
