During a recent visit to a facility in Florida, President Donald Trump engaged with notable figures, including former rival Governor Ron DeSantis and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The visit took place amid ongoing discussions regarding immigration policy and Medicaid legislation.
Trump delivered remarks for over an hour, during which he navigated a range of topics, including the costs related to illegal immigration, Medicaid changes, and a conspiracy theory about President Joe Biden. His statements drew criticism and warranted clarification, prompting a fact-check of several claims made during the event.
One of Trump’s key assertions was regarding the financial burden of illegal immigration. He stated, “The average illegal alien costs American taxpayers an estimated $70,000.” This estimate originates from the Center for Immigration Studies, an organization that advocates for reducing immigration levels. Critics argue against the validity of this figure.
Steven A. Camarota, the research director for the Center for Immigration Studies, supported Trump’s claim during a 2024 House committee testimony. He noted that the lifetime fiscal impact per illegal immigrant is about $68,000, based on their tax contributions versus the costs incurred. However, the estimate includes certain caveats, such as the percentage of immigrants utilizing welfare programs and public services.
Contrary to Trump’s claims, other analyses present a different perspective on the economic impact of undocumented immigrants. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO), a nonpartisan entity, found that a surge in immigration during the Biden administration could yield positive effects, estimating an $8.9 trillion increase in gross domestic product (GDP) over the next decade due to the influx of migrants.
Additionally, the Cato Institute revealed that immigrants contribute nearly $1 trillion in taxes, exceeding the benefits they receive by about $300 billion. These analyses suggest that the overall fiscal impact of immigrants in the U.S. is more nuanced than Trump’s assertion.
Trump also revisited a conspiracy theory regarding President Biden and the alleged use of an autopen to sign documents. He remarked, “It was an incompetent president that allowed it to happen. It was an autopen, maybe, that allowed it to happen.” This statement reflects an unfounded claim circulating in Trump-supporting circles, suggesting Biden’s aides have forged his signature.
Experts maintain that any documents signed by an autopen are legal and valid, and no evidence suggests Biden’s signatures were negligent or without his consent. Earlier this year, Trump also faced criticism after claiming Biden’s pardons were invalid due to the use of an autopen— a claim rated false by fact-checkers.
Another topic addressed during the visit was the One Big Beautiful Bill, which Congress was deliberating at the time. When pressed by reporters about Medicaid changes and potential impacts on recipients, Trump responded, “It’s going to be a very much smaller number than that, and that number will be waste, fraud, and abuse.”
However, this statement misrepresents the nature of the proposed Medicaid changes, as they are not solely focused on eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse. The 11.8 million figure cited comes from a CBO analysis and reflects expected losses in health coverage due to the bill’s provisions.
It includes changes that would compel states to stop funding services for undocumented individuals and impose work requirements for those seeking benefits. While some elements of the bill aim to improve eligibility detection, they extend beyond merely targeting waste and fraud.
Furthermore, Trump exaggerated statistics regarding immigration during Biden’s presidency. He claimed, “In the four years before I took office, Joe Biden allowed 21 million people… illegal aliens to invade our country.” This figure, however, misrepresents the reality of border encounters.
Under Biden’s administration, immigration officials reported approximately 10 million encounters with individuals attempting to cross the border, with additional estimates suggesting about 11.6 million encounters when including those who evaded capture. It’s important to note that encounters do not equate to admissions; many individuals encountered are not granted entry into the U.S.
As per estimates from the Department of Homeland Security, around 4 million encounters during Biden’s tenure resulted in expulsions or removals, while approximately 3.8 million individuals were released into the U.S. to await immigration court proceedings.
The statements made during this Florida tour have sparked ongoing debates regarding immigration, Medicaid policy, and the implications of Trump’s rhetoric.
In summary, Trump’s claims about the costs associated with illegal immigration rely on controversial estimations, while independent analyses reveal a more complex picture of the economic contributions of immigrants. Furthermore, his remarks regarding the use of an autopen and the Medicaid legislation mischaracterize the facts surrounding these issues.
As discussions continue in Washington regarding immigration reform and health care policies, it is essential to scrutinize claims made by public figures to ensure they reflect the reality of ongoing legislative efforts.
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