President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda could cost Bexar County taxpayers more than $1.13 billion by the time his second term ends in 2028, according to a new online calculator created by the Economic Policy Institute.
The left-leaning D.C.-based think tank’s Cost of Deportations calculator shows how much U.S. taxpayer money is being spent on mass deportations at the national, state, county, congressional district and city levels — and for the average federal taxpayer.
“The Trump administration’s immigration policy is not just inhumane, it is also a huge waste of public resources,” Heidi Shierholz, president of the EPI, said in a statement. “Every dollar spent on mass deportations is a dollar not spent on critical investments like education, healthcare and affordable housing.”
According to the calculator, Bexar County’s share of Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown is enough to cover the hiring of 4,615 public school teachers or 4,653 firefighters. It also could provide health care for 22,950 military veterans.
Word of how much Trump’s immigration crackdown is costing taxpayers comes as both Bexar County and the City of San Antonio grapple with multimillion-dollar budget deficits.
While the calculator’s numbers are daunting, it still doesn’t take into account the economic impact of mass deportations.
That issue was a major talking point during last month’s “Rally in the Valley” hosted by the South Texas Builders Association and the American Business Immigration Coalition Action. During the event, community members urged federal leaders to “let builders build” by pairing border security with a practical solution allowing longtime immigrants to continue contributing to the economy.
“When we don’t have enough workers, guess what happens? Prices go up, and housing goes up,” U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, said during the meeting. “That’s why ICE needs to focus on criminals, and not builders or people that have no criminal record. Focus on criminals and not on families.”
Builders at the meeting said they are grappling with shrinking crews as workers fear showing up to worksites. They also said subcontractor costs are rising and projects are falling behind schedule.
A report from the Associated General Contractors of America found that 92% of construction firms are struggling to fill open positions as the nation faces a shortage of about 1.5 million homes.
“We want common sense immigration reform that doesn’t hurt businesses and doesn’t separate families and have people living in fear, afraid to go to the grocery store or go to work,” said Ronnie Cavasos, president of the South Texas Builders Association. “We’re very proud people here. We don’t want any handouts; we just want an opportunity.”
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