Tom Homan, former acting director of ICE, discusses the challenges and emotional impact of large-scale deportation efforts promised by Trump. He shares insights into the complexities of immigration enforcement and the DACA implications. Daleep Singh, the mastermind behind U.S. sanctions on Russia, reveals the surprising resilience of the Russian economy despite ongoing sanctions. He highlights the covert tactics of oil tankers evading these sanctions. The conversation dives into pressing geopolitical issues and the intricate balance of national security and economic monitoring.
The feasibility of mass deportation operations under Trump's proposal raises serious concerns about resource allocation and potential economic impact on job sectors reliant on undocumented immigrants.
Ethical dilemmas surrounding family separation highlight the emotional and social consequences of deportation policies, challenging the perception of humane execution in such operations.
Deep dives
Trump's Deportation Promise
Former President Trump's campaign has highlighted a promise to initiate the largest deportation operation in U.S. history, targeting over 11 million undocumented immigrants. Trump’s former immigration advisor, Tom Homan, outlined the difficulties and costs associated with this initiative, estimating a staggering $88 billion for deporting a million people per year. Homan emphasizes that the focus of deportation would not be on mass sweeps, but rather on targeted arrests based on intelligence about undocumented immigrants, particularly those deemed a threat to public safety. This approach raises questions about the human and financial implications it would entail, questioning whether American taxpayers would be willing to bear such a burden in the name of national security.
Impact on the Labor Market
Mass deportation plans could drastically affect the U.S. labor market, particularly in construction, hospitality, and agriculture, where many undocumented immigrants find employment. A study indicated that the removal of a large number of these workers could reduce the nation's GDP by approximately $1.7 trillion. Homan argues for the need to enforce labor laws against companies hiring undocumented workers to create fair competition for U.S. citizens. However, such enforcement could also lead to significant disruptions within industries that rely heavily on immigrant labor, complicating economic recovery efforts and employment stability.
Technical and Financial Feasibility
The logistics of executing a mass deportation as proposed by Trump face significant challenges, including a lack of personnel and funds. Current estimates suggest a requirement of around 100,000 officers to effectively carry out a mass deportation, compared to the 6,000 currently available under ICE. The financial aspect is daunting as well; each deportation flight can cost upwards of a quarter of a million dollars, posing questions about where the money would come from amidst other pressing budget priorities. Experts have raised concerns about the strain this would place on federal resources and the feasibility of managing such an extensive operation.
Family Separation Concerns
Concerns about family separation emerge as a significant ethical issue surrounding proposed mass deportation operations. Many undocumented immigrants in the U.S. have established families, including children born as U.S. citizens, leading to fears about the emotional and social ramifications of deportation. Homan acknowledges the potential for family separations but suggests that deportation could be executed relatively humanely, allowing families to remain together. However, stories from undocumented families suggest a complicated reality, as many share deep ties within their communities and face tough choices should deportation occur.
Correspondent Cecilia Vega examines former President Donald Trump’s campaign promise to conduct the largest deportation in American history. She goes out with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Maryland as they arrest undocumented immigrants with criminal records, and she talks with one of the people Mr. Trump is likely to ask to oversee the mass deportations if he’s elected: Tom Homan, who led ICE when the Trump administration separated about 5,000 migrant children from their parents at the southern border.
More than two years after Russia invaded Ukraine, the fighting continues, and despite thousands of economic sanctions, Russia's wartime economy is expected to grow. Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi sits down with Daleep Singh, the architect behind the U.S. sanction strategy, to discuss his past predictions and uncover new details about what's fueling Russia's economy. Her investigation leads to the waters off the coast of Greece, where she tracks Russian oil tankers evading sanctions and raises questions about how Russia is making its money.
Correspondent Bill Whitaker ventures out to one of the most dangerous inlets in America, nicknamed the Graveyard of the Pacific, at the mouth of the Columbia River. The mission? Document the training of elite members of the U.S. Coast Guard determined to graduate from the National Motor Lifeboat School and earn the coveted title of certified Surfmen. Whitaker speaks with some of the best water rescue professionals in the country as they push their limits, tackling the roughest waters and toughest test, to hear firsthand what it takes to operate in huge breaking surf in order to save lives.
