Why Legalizing Unauthorized Immigrants Beats Deportation: Economics, Safety, and Business

The 11–12 million unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. spark heated debates. The Trump administration’s 2025 deportation push promises action but ignores a smarter choice: legalization. It’s cheaper, boosts the economy, and keeps communities safe. So why do some business leaders miss this? Let’s break it down.

Deportation: A Costly Mistake

Mass deportation is a budget-buster. Here’s the price tag:

• Direct Costs: $18,250 per person. For 11–12 million? That’s $200.75–$219 billion.
• Legal Battles: A 3.6 million-case court backlog and lawsuits (e.g., deporting U.S. citizens) add $5–$10 billion over 10 years.
• Lost Taxes: Immigrants pay $79.7 billion/year in taxes. Deport them, and lose $797 billion in a decade.
• Economic Hit: They drive $1.7 trillion in activity. Deportation cuts GDP by 4.2–7.4% ($1.1–$2 trillion), disrupting agriculture, construction, and hospitality.

Total Cost (10 years): $1.99–$2.91 trillion. And it takes 23–95 years at current rates (555–1,390/day).

Legalization: A Financial Win

Legalizing 11–12 million immigrants pays off big:

• More Taxes: Legal status boosts wages 10–20%, raising taxes from $7,245/person to $10,000–$12,000. That’s $20–$40 billion/year extra ($430–$860 billion over 10 years).
• GDP Boost: Higher productivity and spending add $1.7–$2.1 trillion in a decade.
• Low Costs: Processing applications costs $10–$20 billion. Public services add $5–$10 billion/year. Benefits (~$150–$200 billion long-term) are offset by taxes for 10–15 years.

Net Benefit (10 years): $2.12–$2.93 trillion.

Does Crime Tip the Scales?

Deportation is often sold as a safety move, but crime data tells a different story.

Unauthorized Immigrants and Crime

• Low Crime Rates: Undocumented immigrants commit fewer crimes than native-born citizens (782 vs. 1,485 convictions per 100,000, Cato Institute, 2018). Only ~3% (360,000) have serious convictions.
• Safer Communities: High-immigrant areas have lower violent crime (FBI, 2017). Sanctuary cities see 15% less crime.
• Stability Reduces Crime: Legalization cuts poverty (~20% to 10–12%), lowering crime incentives.

Deportation’s Safety Impact

• Little Gain: Deporting 97% non-criminals adds minimal safety. ICE’s 2025 focus (75% of 32,809 arrests were criminals) already targets risks.
• Potential Harm: Splitting families (5 million U.S. citizen kids affected) destabilizes communities, raising crime (Journal of Criminology, 2019).
• Resource Drain: ICE’s $3.7–$9.26 billion/year diverts police from violent crime.

Legalization’s Safety Impact

• Crime Drops: Legal status cuts crime 3–5% by boosting stability and police trust (American Sociological Review, 2013).
• Stronger Communities: Legal immigrants report crimes, and sanctuary cities see lower homicides (Urban Institute, 2020).
• Safe Process: Background checks (like DACA) screen out serious criminals.

Safety Verdict: Deportation barely improves safety, may worsen crime, and wastes resources. Legalization slightly reduces crime, strengthening communities. People stay safe either way, but legalization builds trust.

Deportation vs. Legalization: The Numbers

• Deportation (10 years): Costs $1.99–$2.91 trillion. Negligible safety gain, possible crime increase. Disrupts industries.
• Legalization (10 years): Gains $2.12–$2.93 trillion. Reduces crime 3–5%. Boosts economy and safety.
• Difference: Legalization is $4–$5.8 trillion better and safer.

Why Push Deportation?

Politics trumps data:

• Voter Appeal: 40–50% of Americans back enforcement (2024 polls). Trump’s 2025 raids (e.g., Operation Safeguard) play to this.
• Deterrence: Policies like $998/day fines aim to scare off migrants. Border crossings dropped 94% (2024–2025).
• Anti-Amnesty Fears: Critics say legalization rewards lawbreaking, though tight borders counter this.

X posts show the split: some demand deportations for “safety” (ignoring low crime rates), others slam the economic waste.

Why Business Leaders Miss This

A profit-driven businessman might skip legalization’s benefits due to:

• Short-Term Thinking: Deportation’s political buzz (e.g., boosting enforcement stocks) overshadows legalization’s $2.12–$2.93 trillion long-term gain.
• Wage Worries: Legalization raises wages 10–20%, seeming costly, but higher consumer spending drives profits.
• Crime Myths: Fear of “immigrant crime” (despite 782 vs. 1,485 conviction rates) pushes deportation, ignoring legalization’s 3–5% crime drop.
• Political Risk: Backing legalization risks alienating anti-immigrant customers, even if it’s safer and richer.

Smart business minds see the win: Legal workers fuel demand (e.g., retail, housing), stabilize supply chains, and cut enforcement costs ($3.7–$9.26 billion/year). Safer communities lower business risks (e.g., theft). Firms like Home Depot thrive on stable markets—legalization delivers.

The Bottom Line

Legalizing 11–12 million unauthorized immigrants saves $1.99–$2.91 trillion, gains $2.12–$2.93 trillion, and cuts crime 3–5%. Deportation’s political pull ignores its economic and safety flops. Business leaders chasing quick wins or swayed by crime myths miss a massive opportunity. The data screams: legalization is the smarter, safer bet for America.