A new study from the Manhattan Institute indicates that the mass deportation of unskilled criminal aliens could play a significant role in reducing the U.S. national deficit. Researcher Daniel Di Martino’s findings demonstrate that deporting these individuals would alleviate the financial burden they place on American taxpayers.
Di Martino explains that illegal border crossers cost the U.S. an average of $130,000 each over their lifetimes, largely because nearly 90% lack a college education. For illegal immigrants who have been in the country for a longer period, the cost jumps to $196,000.
He argues that deporting these individuals would lead to considerable savings, potentially reducing the national deficit by $1.1 trillion over 70 years.
While the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has projected that continued illegal immigration through 2026 could reduce the deficit by $900 billion, Di Martino contests this analysis. He points out that the CBO’s projection fails to account for long-term costs like entitlement programs, healthcare, and public services.
In his research, Di Martino emphasizes the positive financial impact of legal, highly educated immigrants. According to his findings, college-educated immigrants can reduce the deficit by over $300,000 each, as they tend to contribute more in taxes while relying less on government benefits.
Di Martino’s key recommendation is a shift toward a more selective immigration policy that prioritizes highly educated immigrants. He suggests that if mass deportations were combined with the legalization of college-educated Dreamers, the U.S. could reduce the federal debt by $1.9 trillion.
This study arrives as President Donald Trump’s proposal for mass deportation gains widespread support. According to a recent poll, 54% of Americans back the policy, including a majority of Republicans and independents.
