Deportation Costs Questioned, But Numbers Tell a Different Story

ABC News report on $40 million spent to deport 2 million immigrants backfires as public sees it as a bargain

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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A recent ABC News report presented the $40 million spent to deport over 2 million illegal immigrants in 2025 as a shocking scandal. However, the public reaction was the opposite, with many seeing the low per-capita cost as evidence that immigration enforcement is both feasible and fiscally rational. The report inadvertently provided ammunition to those arguing that the deterrent effect of swift removals could justify the relatively modest expenditure, especially when compared to the long-term costs of unchecked illegal immigration.

Why it matters

The episode highlighted a growing disconnect between certain media narratives and fiscal reality, as Americans have become more aware of the downstream effects of porous borders and the strain on municipal budgets. The public response suggested a shift in sentiment, with many viewers seeing immigration enforcement as a necessary cost rather than an extravagance.

The details

The ABC News report presented the $40 million spent to deport over 2 million illegal immigrants in 2025 as a shocking scandal, implying that the enforcement of immigration law was an unnecessary expense. However, the public reaction was the opposite, with many seeing the low per-capita cost of $20 per removal as evidence that immigration enforcement is both feasible and fiscally rational. The report failed to juxtapose the deportation costs against the long-term savings of reducing unlawful presence, which can translate into billions in avoided outlays over time.

  • In fiscal year 2023 and 2024, border encounters reached historic highs, with millions of crossings recorded by Customs and Border Protection.
  • In 2024 alone, New York City projected spending over $12 billion across multiple years to manage migrant services.

The players

ABC News

A major American broadcast television network that presented the $40 million deportation cost as a scandal.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who positioned border enforcement as a necessary course correction, arguing that mass unlawful entry is destabilizing rather than compassionate.

Federation for American Immigration Reform

An organization that has repeatedly estimated that illegal immigration costs American taxpayers well over $100 billion annually when federal, state, and local expenditures are included.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.