President Donald Trump and his offer for “self-deportation” got blasted by analyst and critic Stephen A. Smith, particularly with what he said about the cost of each deportation versus the amount of money the government is offering for volunteers.
In one of his recent videos, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith criticized President Donald Trump about the so-called “self-deportation” program, where illegal immigrants are offered $1,000 and a plane ticket to self-report and volunteer to fly out of the United States.
“Mass deportations were a key campaign promise that Trump said he would start as soon as he took office,” Smith said. “However, it appears the administration did not take into account the cost of that promise. According to the Department of Homeland Security, a single deportation costs US taxpayers more than $17,000. The federal agency expects self-deportations to decrease that cost by 70% even after factoring in the $1,000 stipend.”
“Now look, how the hell do you not take the cost into consideration?” Smith asked. “How did you not know that it cost you about $17,000 per migrant to the taxpayer in the United States of America when you talked about engaging in deportation?”
“[Trump] made so much noise about it when it came to Doge and Elon Musk. And you were bragging about the hundreds of millions of dollars that are being saved by identifying fraud and waste, but we didn’t take that into consideration.”
“Now, you see, ladies and gentlemen, here’s where it’s time to get a little bit nervous because when you’re willing to admit as a government that you didn’t know about that cost, that’s a bit alarming.”
Donald Trump Faces Backlash Over “Self-Deportation” Program
Donald Trump’s self-deportation initiative has sparked widespread criticism, with opponents arguing that it unfairly targets undocumented immigrants while failing to address deeper immigration issues.
The plan, which offers a $1,000 stipend and free airfare to those who voluntarily leave the U.S., has been labeled as a misleading tactic that pressures migrants into leaving without proper legal guidance.
Critics, including immigration advocates, warn that individuals who self-deport may face permanent bans from re-entering the country, contradicting Trump’s claims that they could return if deemed “good people.”
Despite the backlash, Donald Trump has defended the policy, insisting that it is a cost-effective and humane alternative to traditional deportation methods. His administration claims that the program reduces enforcement costs by 70%, but critics argue that it fails to address systemic immigration challenges and creates uncertainty for those affected.
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