A mass-deportation proposal circulated by Trump allies was pitched to the White House by a group of prominent military contractors, including former Blackwater CEO Erik Prince, Politco reports in a detailed piece about the proposed 26-page plan, which suggests carrying out mass deportations through a network of “processing camps” on military bases, a private fleet of 100 planes, and a “small army” of private citizens empowered to make arrests. “The administration’s desire to make good on that signature campaign promise has created an opening for private contractors who see a rare area in which the Trump administration is likely to increase spending,” Politco writes.
Trump had vowed that mass deportations would begin on his first day in office, a promise that has not materialized. Though Immigration and Customs Enforcement increased arrests during Trump’s first couple of weeks in office, the pace has since slowed. Recently, in response, some top immigration officials have been reassigned. “People want this stood up quickly, and understand the government is always very slow to do things,” said Steve Bannon, who served in Trump’s first term, remains close to the president and is aware of the proposal. “It’s smart to start bidding out right now and get a feel for what else outside companies, contractors can do.” The mass-deportation proposal, marked “unsolicited,” carries an estimated price tag of $25 billion and recommends a range of aggressive tactics to rapidly deport 12 million people before the 2026 midterms, including some that would likely face legal and operational challenges, according to a copy obtained by Politico.