Federal Policy · TN
Economic Policy Institute Calculates State-by-State Taxpayer Cost of Federal Immigration Enforcement
The Economic Policy Institute released an online calculator estimating federal taxpayers' share of $268.9 billion in deportation costs through the end of the current presidential term. The tool provides state-level breakdowns, estimating Tennessee taxpayers will contribute $4.5 billion total, or $1,961 per taxpayer. The calculator compares immigration enforcement spending to alternative uses such as Medicaid coverage, teacher salaries, or firefighter positions. DHS disputed the analysis, stating illegal immigration costs taxpayers $150 billion annually.
Why it mattersThe analysis provides state Medicaid agencies and advocates with state-specific data on federal spending priorities that compete with potential Medicaid expansion or maintenance-of-effort funding, though the figures reflect budget-wide tradeoffs rather than direct program impacts.