An IMGW News Report on the US Elections
President-elect Donald Trump’s victory has reignited his ambitious campaign promise to launch the largest mass deportation programme in U.S. history, targeting the over 11 million undocumented migrants currently residing in the country. With control of Congress and a seemingly stronger mandate, Trump may be in a position to implement these measures, unlike in his first term, when legal obstacles hindered his plans.
Trump’s approach involves a multi-faceted plan, reportedly influenced by Operation Wetback, a 1950s deportation initiative under President Eisenhower. His strategy is set to begin with deporting migrants with criminal convictions and security risks. However, former ICE official Tom Homan has indicated that the initiative would likely extend to immigrants without criminal records, fundamentally shifting the Biden administration’s current stance of focusing on serious offenders.
This potential policy overhaul raises logistical and humanitarian concerns. ICE currently operates with around 6,000 agents and has limited detention capacity, which falls significantly short of what would be needed for mass deportations. Analysts estimate that achieving Trump’s proposed removal rate would cost nearly $1 trillion and require vast expansions in detention facilities, government contracts, and potentially the deployment of the National Guard.
Trump’s plan also faces additional complexities concerning mixed-status families and U.S.-born children of undocumented migrants. With nearly 4 million children living with at least one undocumented parent, questions arise about potential family separations and the legal implications of deporting parents while leaving U.S.-born children behind. Civil rights groups are poised to challenge these policies in court, adding yet another layer of uncertainty to Trump’s ambitious plans. His administration’s ability to overcome these humanitarian and legal obstacles remains uncertain.
Profile of the Unauthorised Population in the United States
| Demographics | Estimate | % of Total |
| Unauthorised Population | 11,047,000 | 100% |
| Top Countries of Birth | ||
Mexico | 5,313,000 | 48% |
| El Salvador | 741,000 | 7% |
| Guatemala | 724,000 | 7% |
| India | 553,000 | 5% |
| Honduras | 490,000 | 4% |
| Regions of Birth | ||
Mexico and Central America | 7,381,000 | 67% |
| Caribbean | 327,000 | 3% |
| South America | 907,000 | 8% |
| Europe/Canada/Oceania | 440,000 | 4% |
| Asia | 1,697,000 | 15% |
| Africa | 295,000 | 3% |
Years of U.S. Residence | ||
| Less than 5 | 2,370,000 | 21% |
| 5 to 9 | 1,744,000 | 16% |
| 10 to 14 | 2,132,000 | 19% |
| 15 to 19 | 2,368,000 | 21% |
| 20 or more | 2,433,000 | 22% |
Age | ||
| Under 16 | 606,000 | 5% |
| 16 to 24 | 1,577,000 | 14% |
| 25 to 34 | 2,986,000 | 27% |
| 35 to 44 | 3,084,000 | 28% |
| 45 to 54 | 1,772,000 | 16% |
| 55 and over | 1,023,000 | 9% |
Source: These 2019 data result from Migration Policy Institute (MPI) analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from the pooled 2015-19 American Community Survey (ACS) and the 2008 Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), weighted to 2019 unauthorized immigrant population estimates provided by Jennifer Van Hook of The Pennsylvania State University.
