Fact Check: "Trump's mass deportation plan could target 11 million undocumented people."
What We Know
Former President Donald Trump has made statements indicating that he intends to conduct mass deportations of undocumented immigrants if he is elected. He has specifically mentioned the figure of 11 million undocumented immigrants currently residing in the United States, which is a commonly cited estimate of the undocumented population. According to NPR, Trump stated, "On day one, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history to get the criminals out." However, the specifics of how he would achieve this remain vague, and he has proposed using various legal frameworks, such as the Alien Enemies Act, which allows for the detention and deportation of noncitizens from enemy nations during wartime.
Furthermore, a report from the Washington Post indicates that while Trump has expressed a desire to deport millions, internal discussions among officials suggest a more realistic target of 1 million deportations per year. This figure is significantly lower than the total undocumented population and raises questions about the feasibility of such a large-scale operation.
Analysis
The claim that Trump's deportation plan could target 11 million undocumented immigrants is partially true. While Trump has indeed referenced this number, the practicality of deporting such a vast population is highly questionable. Legal experts and immigration analysts have pointed out that many undocumented immigrants have the right to a court hearing before deportation, which complicates any mass deportation efforts (NPR, Washington Post). Additionally, the current backlog in immigration courts could delay proceedings for months or even years, making it unrealistic to remove large numbers of individuals quickly.
Moreover, the New York Times notes that many undocumented immigrants may have some form of authorization to live or work in the U.S., further complicating the situation. The potential for legal challenges from civil rights groups also looms large, as many of Trump's proposed methods for enforcement may face constitutional scrutiny.
While Trump's rhetoric suggests a broad and aggressive approach to deportation, the operational realities and legal frameworks involved indicate that targeting 11 million undocumented immigrants is not only ambitious but may also be unachievable in practice.
Conclusion
The claim that Trump's mass deportation plan could target 11 million undocumented people is partially true. While Trump has cited this figure and expressed a desire to deport millions, the practicalities of such an endeavor, including legal rights, court backlogs, and the need for substantial funding and cooperation from local law enforcement, present significant barriers. Thus, while the target number is mentioned, the feasibility of executing such a plan remains highly questionable.
Sources
- Trump's mass deportation plan of undocumented migrants offers few ... (https://www.npr.org/2024/10/30/nx-s1-5170339/trumps-mass-deportation-plan-of-undocumented-migrants-offers-few-specifics)
- 'One million.' The private goal driving Trump's push for ... (https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2025/04/12/one-million-deportations-goal/)
- Who are the immigrants who could be targeted in Trump's mass ... (https://www.reuters.com/data/who-are-immigrants-who-could-be-targeted-trumps-mass-deportation-plans-2024-12-18/)
- How Trump Has Targeted New Groups for Deportation (https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/05/21/us/trump-immigration-policy.html)
- Trump's mass deportation plan for undocumented immigrants could cost ... (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-mass-deportation-plan-cost-consequences-60-minutes-transcript/)
- Qui est Massad Boulos, ce libanais conseiller de TRUMP (https://www.jforum.fr/qui-est-massad-boulos-ce-libanais-conseiller-de-trump.html)
- As Trump pledges mass deportation, he's creating more undocumented people (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/trump-deportation-undocumented-immigrants-policy-change-rcna213356)
- How Trump could supercharge the deportation pipeline (https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/17/texas-mass-deportations-trump/)
