CNN host Abby Phillip recently raised concerns about the financial feasibility of deporting illegal immigrants, arguing that such efforts might come with an exorbitant price tag.
However, during a discussion with Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), her skepticism was met with a forceful rebuttal that highlighted the broader financial and social toll of unchecked illegal immigration.
Phillip questioned the logistics of large-scale deportations, suggesting that former ICE Director Tom Homan “doesn’t seem to have a sense of the scope—what it’s going to take, what it’s going to cost.”
WATCH: Reality Hits CNN Host Like a Truck After She Suggests Deporting Illegals Costs Too Much Money
ABBY PHILLIP: “He [Tom Homan] doesn’t seem to have a sense of the scope—what it’s going to take, what it’s going to cost.”
REP. MIKE LAWLER: “Look, it’s already costing states… pic.twitter.com/1MOBGZhQcD
— The Vigilant Fox 🦊 (@VigilantFox) December 27, 2024
Lawler quickly countered with sobering facts, emphasizing the immense cost already borne by states like New York due to illegal immigration.
He described the billions of taxpayer dollars spent annually on free housing, food, education, health care, and other services for undocumented immigrants.
Lawler also drew attention to the human cost of sanctuary policies, recounting a harrowing incident in New York City where a previously deported criminal alien re-entered the United States and committed a heinous act of violence.
The individual, deported under the Trump administration but allowed back under the Biden administration, tragically burned a woman alive on a subway.
“This is the direct consequence of sanctuary states and cities refusing to cooperate with federal immigration laws,” Lawler said. “These policies are endangering public safety.”
Lawler criticized New York Governor Kathy Hochul for imposing a $2,500 congestion pricing fee on residents while simultaneously funding extensive services for illegal immigrants. “It’s a joke,” he said. “This kind of mismanagement is exactly what needs to stop.”
He argued that while deportation efforts might involve significant upfront costs, the ongoing financial burden of sustaining illegal immigration is far greater.
“Since Joe Biden took office, over ten and a half million people have entered the country illegally. That’s unsustainable, and it’s costing us billions of dollars,” Lawler said.
Lawler’s remarks come amid mounting financial pressures on sanctuary cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, and Houston. In 2023, these cities collectively requested $5 billion in federal aid to manage the rising costs associated with their immigration policies.
“These cities have long championed themselves as havens for illegal immigrants, but now they’re experiencing firsthand what border communities have endured for years,” Lawler said. “Instead of taking responsibility for their decisions, they’re asking taxpayers nationwide to foot the bill.”
Phillip’s suggestion that deportation costs are prohibitively high highlights a contentious debate over immigration policy in the United States.
While critics argue that deportation efforts may strain federal and state budgets, proponents like Lawler contend that the long-term costs of inaction—both financial and societal—are far more severe.
Lawler underscored the urgency of addressing the issue, citing the influx of over 10.5 million illegal immigrants since President Biden took office as evidence of a broken system. “We cannot continue to have this massive influx of illegal immigrants,” he said. “It’s a crisis that demands immediate attention and action.”
