Wyoming Faces $531 Million Cost for Mass Deportations, Study Finds

The national cost of mass deportation policies totals $268 billion, according to a new economic assessment that calculates the specific burden on Wyoming at $531 million. The figure represents the state's share of the federal expenditure on removing non-citizens from the country.

Ben Zipperer, a senior economist at the institute behind the study, placed the national total in context by comparing it to other government spending priorities. He noted that the $268 billion could fund medical care for five million veterans or provide health insurance for nearly 12 million people. Zipperer also cited the potential to build nearly 10 million public housing units or offer paid parental leave to six million parents.

The financial analysis argues that enforcement actions have disrupted labor markets and increased construction expenses. Unemployment rates for U.S.-born workers have risen above their pre-2024 levels, the study states. Zipperer explained that removing immigrant roofers and framers delays housing projects, which in turn reduces demand for domestic electricians and plumbers.

Data from the Cato Institute indicates that 93% of individuals arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement had no violent criminal convictions. This statistic contrasts with the arguments of deportation proponents, who claim the policy opens jobs for U.S.-born citizens and removes dangerous offenders. The policy was a central promise during the election that returned Donald Trump to the White House two years ago.

The study highlights a specific correlation between immigration reliance and building costs. Home construction costs have increased at nearly twice the rate in states that depend heavily on immigrant labor, Zipperer said. He attributed this to a sharp decline in construction permits in those regions.

The caregiving sector also faces pressure as Republicans implement the largest Medicaid cuts under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act next year. Haeyoung Yoon, vice president of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, stated that at least 30% of workers caring for seniors and people with disabilities are immigrants.

Yoon emphasized that these workers perform essential tasks such as bathing elderly patients and assisting with medical appointments. She argued that the relationship between workforce composition and service stability is direct, noting that without immigrant workers, the care workforce will lack stability.