President Trump's mass deportation proposal is estimated to cost American taxpayers approximately $2,358 per person. The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) developed a calculator to illustrate this projected cost, totaling $268.9 billion. This significant expenditure raises questions about prioritizing federal funds towards other public needs. EPI data suggests this money could instead fund over 118 million additional SNAP recipients, nearly 12 million more Medicaid recipients, or provide low-cost public housing for over 9.7 million households. A professor highlighted that most people don't realize the immense cost of mass deportations when many communities struggle with hunger, housing, and healthcare. The EPI calculated individual taxpayer contributions based on their state's share of federal income taxes. For example, Washington D.C. taxpayers might pay $3,930 each, while West Virginia taxpayers could pay around $1,297. This funding could be reallocated to provide substantial benefits for citizens facing economic hardship. The estimated $268.9 billion is derived from various legislative and budgetary actions. The Department of Homeland Security previously stated the cost per non-voluntary deportation is about $18,000. Future congressional appropriations could further increase deportation spending, impacting these alternative funding possibilities.