According to a new calculator tool from the Economic Policy Institute, American taxpayers would incur an average cost of approximately $2,358 each due to President Trump's mass deportation initiatives. This estimate has sparked discussions regarding the allocation of billions in federal funds for deportations, which could alternatively support essential public services such as food assistance, healthcare, and housing. The Economic Policy Institute projects that the $268.9 billion earmarked for deportations could instead provide support for over 118 million additional recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over the remaining 2.5 years of Trump's administration. Alternatively, nearly 12 million more individuals could gain access to Medicaid, or over 9.7 million households could benefit from affordable public housing. Gordon Lafer, a professor at the University of Oregon and research associate at EPI, emphasized the significant financial resources being directed towards deportations, which could be better utilized to address pressing community needs such as hunger, affordable housing, and healthcare access. The Department of Homeland Security has not yet responded to requests for comment. The Economic Policy Institute's analysis also highlights that taxpayers in areas contributing a larger share of federal income taxes would bear a greater portion of the projected costs, with Washington, D.C. taxpayers potentially facing a cost of $3,930 each. In contrast, taxpayers in states with lower federal tax contributions, such as West Virginia, could see costs around $1,297 each. The projected $268.9 billion expenditure for deportations during Trump's second term is sourced from various funding mechanisms, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and budget reconciliation bills. If Congress approves additional funding, total deportation spending may increase.