A new analysis claims President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda would cost the average American taxpayer roughly $2,358 over the course of his second term, while the Trump administration argues the true financial burden comes from illegal immigration—not from removing those in the country unlawfully.

The estimate comes from a calculator released by the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute (EPI), highlighted by Axios. According to the organization, the federal government is expected to spend approximately $268.9 billion on deportation efforts during President Trump’s second term, with funding coming through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, congressional appropriations, and other federal sources.

EPI contends that the same funds could instead be used to expand programs such as Medicaid, food assistance, or public housing.

“I don’t think people realize how much money is being spent on these mass deportations,” Gordon Lafer, an EPI research associate, told Axios. He said the money would be better spent on domestic programs.

The Department of Homeland Security rejected the report’s conclusions, arguing that it overlooks the substantial costs already imposed on taxpayers by illegal immigration and defending the administration’s enforcement policies.

A DHS spokesperson told Axios that the administration’s voluntary self-deportation initiative actually reduces government spending by providing illegal aliens with a free flight and a $2,600 payment if they choose to leave the country on their own.

According to DHS, the self-deportation program costs roughly $5,100 per participant, which the department says is more than $13,000 cheaper than carrying out a traditional deportation.

The department continues urging illegal aliens to use the CBP Home app to arrange their voluntary departure.

EPI’s calculator also projects that taxpayers in wealthier areas would bear a larger share of deportation costs because they contribute more in federal taxes. Under the group’s estimates, residents of Washington, D.C., would pay nearly $3,930 per taxpayer, while Connecticut residents would pay about $3,395. In West Virginia, the estimated cost would be approximately $1,297 per taxpayer.

The report adds another chapter to the ongoing debate over the economic consequences of President Trump’s immigration policies.

CNBC reported that the immigration advocacy organization America’s Voice recently labeled the administration’s deportation campaign an “ICE Tax,” arguing that it contributes to higher food prices, housing costs, and healthcare expenses in industries that depend heavily on immigrant labor.

The White House disputed that argument as well. Spokeswoman Lauren Bis told CNBC that the nation’s affordability problems began under President Joe Biden after “millions of illegals” entered the country, increasing pressure on housing, insurance, schools, and healthcare systems.

She said President Trump’s immigration policies are designed to reduce costs by prioritizing American citizens and restoring strong border enforcement.

Mass deportations have become one of the defining goals of President Trump’s second-term agenda, with the administration aiming to remove 1 million illegal aliens each year. Supporters argue the policy will strengthen border security, protect American jobs, and reduce long-term taxpayer costs, while opponents continue to question both its economic impact and its overall price tag.