How Much Will Mass Deportations Cost You? Here’s What Each American Taxpayer Pays

President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign could cost $2,358 per American taxpayer. The estimate comes from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) and accounts for projected federal spending through 2029.

The total calculated cost amounts to $268.9 billion to arrest, detain, process, and deport people. This money is not collected through a separate bill, but rather through federal taxes allocated to responsible agencies.

How Much Does Each Taxpayer Pay for the Operation?

The EPI calculation divides projected federal spending among taxpayers who file returns and owe taxes after credits. The national average result reaches $2,358 per taxpayer over the entire operation period. This figure does not represent a fixed annual payment or a fee applied per individual deportation.

It is a cumulative average that distributes the total cost of the policy among federal taxpayers. The Department of Homeland Security told Axios that a non-voluntary deportation costs approximately $18,000 per person. This amount includes locating operations, arrest, transportation, housing, and expulsion. Costs can increase when the case requires hearings, appeals, or extended detention.

What Expenses Do Federal Funds Cover?

The money finances several stages before a person leaves the United States. First, agencies must locate and arrest the individual through ground operations or administrative investigations. After that, they must cover food, medical supervision, transportation, and housing during detention. Finally, the government pays for flights, personnel, documents, and international coordination to carry out the expulsion.

The American Immigration Council estimated that a single operation against the entire undocumented population would cost at least $315 billion. That organization calculated $89.3 billion for arrests and $167.8 billion for detentions. Additionally, it estimated $34.1 billion in legal proceedings and $24.1 billion in transfers.

Why Does the Cost Vary by Case?

Not all deportations require the same number of agents, days in custody, or hearings. A quick border expulsion typically costs less than a case with prolonged appeals. Complex proceedings can include transfers between prisons, medical care, and appearances before multiple courts.

The distance to the destination country and flight availability also play a role. Open Immigration estimates that each case can range between $2,000 and more than $50,000. This calculation is not a single official fee, but rather an approximation based on different phases and types of cases.

What Alternatives Could Reduce Public Spending?

DHS has argued that self-deportation costs