Somebody's Gotta Win with Tara Palmeri cover image

Somebody's Gotta Win with Tara Palmeri

Trump’s Ex-Border Chief Ken Cuccinelli on Deporting 20 Million People

Jan 14, 2025
Ken Cuccinelli, the ex-deputy secretary of Homeland Security under Trump, dives into the complex realities of mass deportation plans. He discusses the immense logistical challenges of removing 10 to 20 million undocumented immigrants and the staggering potential costs, estimating $88 billion annually. Cuccinelli also tackles the legal implications of using military forces for deportations and the potential partnerships with third countries to manage migration flows, revealing the political and economic intricacies behind these ambitious proposals.
51:51

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Mass deportation poses significant logistical and financial challenges, potentially costing $88 billion and requiring extensive transportation resources over a prolonged period.
  • A Trump administration could shift immigration enforcement tactics by involving the military, altering border security dynamics and impacting illegal crossings significantly.

Deep dives

The Feasibility of Mass Deportation

Mass deportation of millions of undocumented individuals poses significant logistical challenges. Deporting one million people would require transporting them in large groups, potentially utilizing 50 jumbo jets daily for an entire year, which is a daunting task. Current estimates suggest that deporting just one million individuals could cost upwards of $88 billion over ten years, highlighting the financial burden of such an undertaking. The complexity also includes identifying individuals, obtaining arrests, interfacing with chaotic legal proceedings, and much more, making the promise of mass deportation seem more hypothetical than practical.

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
App store bannerPlay store banner