BORDER CHAOS: DHS Secretly Forced 2.2 MILLION Out—Did YOU Pay for It?

A recently concluded Department of Homeland Security (DHS) advertising campaign is being credited with a dramatic outcome: over 2.2 million individuals voluntarily left the United States, according to DHS deputy assistant secretary Lauren Bis.

This self-deportation wave, spurred by the campaign, reportedly generated savings exceeding $39 billion for American taxpayers. The assertion comes amidst intense scrutiny from lawmakers questioning the $200 million investment in the initiative.

During a contentious Senate hearing, several senators, including Adam Schiff and Peter Welch, pressed DHS Secretary Kristi Noem about the contract awarded for the advertisements. Concerns centered on connections between the winning company and individuals with ties to Noem’s former spokesperson.

Bis staunchly defended the campaign’s effectiveness, stating it represented the most successful advertising effort in U.S. history. She emphasized the significant financial benefit, highlighting the cost-effectiveness of voluntary departures compared to the expenses associated with apprehension and removal by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The average cost of arresting and removing an individual through ICE is approximately $18,000. Even factoring in advertising costs and a $2,600 exit bonus offered to those who voluntarily departed, self-deportation proved to be 70% cheaper.

The financial implications of illegal immigration are substantial. Research indicates that, at the start of 2023, the net cost to the U.S. was at least $150.7 billion. This translates to a burden of $1,156 per American taxpayer annually.

While undocumented individuals contribute roughly $32 billion in taxes, the overall negative economic impact totals $182 billion, meaning they cover only about one-sixth of the costs associated with their presence. This economic strain has increased by $35 billion in just five years.

Questions arose during the hearing regarding the process by which the advertising contracts were awarded. Senator Welch alleged that a significant portion of the funds, $143 million, went to a company incorporated just days before securing the deal, which then subcontracted with a firm linked to Noem’s former spokesperson’s husband.

Noem maintained she was not directly involved in the contracting decisions, asserting that multiple companies competed for the work. She acknowledged the connection to the subcontractor but reiterated adherence to established procedures.

The former spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, recently left DHS following reports detailing the connection to her husband’s company. Further scrutiny focuses on a potential role played by Noem’s advisor, Corey Lewandowski, with the same firm, though the extent of any financial benefit remains unclear.

Noem has pledged to investigate these matters further, aiming to address concerns about transparency and potential conflicts of interest surrounding the awarding of the advertising contracts.