President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown is shaking things up. His administration is rolling out a bold strategy to tackle the estimated 15.4 million unauthorized migrants in the U.S., blending aggressive deportations with a carrot-and-stick self-deportation program.
Trump’s team is laser-focused on securing the border and reversing what they call an illegal immigration crisis. In his first 100 days, executive orders and mandates reshaped the immigration system, prioritizing violent criminals for deportation while offering incentives for others to leave voluntarily.
The Daily Caller reported that the plan aims to shrink the 10.8 million unauthorized workers in the U.S. job market, according to the Center for Immigration Studies.
Border Czar Tom Homan is leading the charge, and he’s not mincing words. “Criminals come first,” Homan declared on June 19, 2025, emphasizing that ICE agents are targeting illicit businesses tied to drug cartels, forced labor, and sex trafficking.
It’s a prioritized hit list, but the numbers aren’t yet matching the ambition to deport everyone who entered during the prior administration.
Worksite raids are a cornerstone of Trump’s plan. Homan confirmed that farms and hotels are in the crosshairs, especially those dodging taxes or funding cartels. “It’s illegal to knowingly hire an illegal alien,” he said, doubling down on enforcing legal hiring programs.
But it’s not just about enforcement—Trump’s offering an exit ramp. The self-deportation program dangles $1,000, a one-way ticket home, and a clean immigration record for legal re-entry. Roughly 1 million unauthorized migrants have already left the workforce since March, per the Washington Post, suggesting the incentive might be working.
Studies estimate a ripple effect: for every formal deportation, five to ten people self-deport. That’s potentially 500,000 to 1 million voluntary exits in just four months, as reported on June 19, 2025. The numbers are staggering, but so is the challenge of addressing 15.4 million unauthorized migrants.
Trump’s team is also slashing financial incentives. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 already limits entitlement programs to “qualified aliens,” but the prior administration’s loopholes let some unauthorized migrants access benefits like Food Stamps and Medicaid. Closing these gaps is a key pillar of the strategy.
An estimated 60% of unauthorized migrants rely on government assistance, costing taxpayers a projected $177 billion by 2034, per the Congressional Budget Office. Trump’s plan aims to tighten eligibility, pushing self-reliance over dependency. It’s a tough-love approach that’s sparking heated debate.
President Trump himself isn’t holding back. “You have to get them the hell out,” he thundered on September 24, 2024, blaming his predecessor for letting over half a million migrants flood small towns. The rhetoric is fiery, but the policy hinges on precision targeting, not blanket roundups.
Homan’s mantra is clear: public safety first. “We prioritize those operations too,” he said, referring to worksite enforcement tied to trafficking and cartel activity. The focus on criminals aims to keep communities safe while sending a message to employers skirting the law.
Yet the scale of the challenge is daunting. Of the 15.4 million unauthorized migrants, 5 million aren’t working, including children, complicating deportation efforts. Trump’s team insists legal pathways exist for workers, but critics argue the system isn’t flexible enough.
Homan’s been blunt about Congress’s inaction. “Congress needs to address this,” he said, but until they do, enforcement won’t stop. It’s a pragmatic stance, though some say it sidesteps the need for broader reform.
The self-deportation program is the plan’s wildcard. Offering cash and a clean slate could ease the strain on ICE while reducing the unauthorized workforce. But with 10.8 million still in jobs, the road ahead is long.
Critics of the prior administration’s catch-and-release loopholes are cheering Trump’s crackdown. They argue that benefits like Pell Grants and public housing for unauthorized migrants drained resources. Trump’s reversal aims to restore fairness, though opponents warn it could harm vulnerable families.
