(The Center Square) – Mass deportation of illegal immigrants could have a significant impact on the economy, according to a new survey of Ohio economists.
Extensive deportation was a key part of President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign language, and presumed border czar Tom Homan told The Center Square last week he is already putting a plan in place.
Homan said the U.S. military will assist in Trump’s deportation efforts. Title 8 enforcement authority will remain with federal agents from the U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Homeland Security Investigations.
Homan also encouraged all foreign nationals in the country illegally to voluntarily return to their country of origin because it would be better for them to do so.
Economists surveyed by Scioto Analysis, a Columbus-based policy analytical group, believe mass deportations would hurt Ohio’s economy and provide little savings in the state’s social safety net.
Seventeen of the 21 economists surveyed agree the mass deportation plan would hurt the state’s labor supply in certain industries. Another 14 agreed it would harm the state’s gross state product.
“Mass deportations will reduce the labor supply, reduce productivity and increase prices,” Bob Gitter, with Ohio Wesleyan University, said.
Economists pointed to agriculture, construction and hospitality as the industries likely to be impacted the most.
Others, like David Brasington of the University of Cincinnati, disagreed, saying Ohio does not have as many illegal immigrants as other states and the impact could not be as great.
Curtis Reynolds, with Kent State University, is uncertain about how much the state’s gross product would be impacted.
“Ohio’s Gross State Product would decrease, but I don’t know how much. But mass deportations would be very, very expensive, and that will have to be paid by someone. So, the net benefit will definitely be negative,” Reynolds said.