Mass Deportation: What Would It Take?

In the latest episode of the Center for Immigration Studies’ Parsing Immigration Policy podcast, host Mark Krikorian and CIS Fellow Andrew Arthur examine what a large-scale deportation effort might look like under the next administration. Using FY 2024 border statistics as a starting point, the episode highlights the logistical, political, and diplomatic challenges involved in cleaning-up the disaster the Biden administration has created by refusing to enforce the law. Key discussion points Include: Policy Shifts and Enforcement Challenges: Under the current administration, ICE has faced restrictions that limit detention and deportation capabilities. Arthur argues these limitations have enabled 1.4 million aliens under final removal orders to remain in the country. Logistics of Mass Deportation: The conversation explores how detention facilities, country jails, military bases, and expedited court proceedings could be leveraged, as well as the use of commercial flights for deportations. Diplomatic Complexities: Arthur outlines the challenges of, and solutions for, securing cooperation from home countries that do not accept their nationals to be returned, including using economic leverage or diplomatic incentives. There are hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens in the U.S. from recalcitrant countries, like Venezuela. Future Administrative Priorities: Arthur emphasizes that securing the border and reinstating ICE’s operational authority will be critical first steps to enacting mass deportation. In his closing remarks, Krikorian highlights a recent blog post by CIS Fellow John Miano which discusses the executive branch's broad use of work permits to bypass congressional limits on immigration. By granting Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) to individuals without statutory eligibility, successive administrations have created a parallel immigration system, undermining legislative intent. Krikorian calls for statutory reform to ensure that Congress — not the executive branch — determines who is authorized to work in the United States. Host Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies. Guest Andrew Arthur is the Resident Fellow in Law and Policy at the Center for Immigration Studies Related Mass Deportation is Just Another Term for Immigration Normalcy The Executive Branch Has Created Its Own Separate Immigration System Intro Montage Voices in the opening montage: Sen. Barack Obama at a 2005 press conference. Sen. John McCain in a 2010 election ad. President Lyndon Johnson, upon signing the 1965 Immigration Act. Booker T. Washington, reading in 1908 from his 1895 Atlanta Exposition speech. Laraine Newman as a "Conehead" on SNL in 1977. Hillary Clinton in a 2003 radio interview. Cesar Chavez in a 1974 interview. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaking to reporters in 2019. Prof. George Borjas in a 2016 C-SPAN appearance. Sen. Jeff Sessions in 2008 comments on the Senate floor. Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".