Former President Donald Trump's allies and some in the private sector have been quietly preparing for large-scale detention and deportation of migrants in the United States, according to sources familiar with the discussions. With Trump becoming the president-elect, these preparations are expected to intensify.
Immigration was a central theme of Trump's 2024 campaign, with a focus on interior enforcement over the border wall. Discussions within Trump's team have centered on deporting undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes, with consideration for how to handle immigrants brought to the US as children, known as Dreamers.
Tom Homan, a former ICE director, may play a key role in immigration under the new administration. Plans involve targeted arrests based on investigative processes, rather than mass sweeps or building concentration camps.
Private sector discussions have been ongoing regarding detention space, a critical element for any deportation plan due to limited resources. The federal government contracts with private companies and county jails to operate detention facilities.
The cost of deporting one undocumented immigrant has risen over the years, posing a financial challenge. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations have faced funding constraints and the need to reprogram funds to expand detention space during border surges.
ICE also faces challenges in deporting immigrants to different countries, as each has varying requirements for travel documents. The agency is not responsible for holding immigrant families or unaccompanied migrant children, which falls under the Health and Human Services Department.
At the Department of Homeland Security, officials are preparing for significant changes in immigration policy under the incoming Trump administration. Some welcome the potential return of Trump-era policies after the Biden administration's handling of border crises over the past three years.
