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The founder of Blackwater has proposed a $25 billion plan to deport 12 million undocumented immigrants from the United States by 2026.
Some shit you should know before you read: Back in 1997, Erik Prince, a former Navy SEAL, founded Blackwater, a private military contracting firm initially created to provide training support to US military and law enforcement personnel. Blackwater gained prominence during the Iraq War, securing lucrative government contracts to provide security services for US diplomats and officials in high-risk areas. While supporters argued that Blackwater offered necessary protection and operational efficiency that supplemented military efforts, the company faced severe criticism for its aggressive tactics and lack of accountability. The most notable controversy occurred in 2007 with the Nisour Square massacre, where Blackwater contractors killed 17 Iraqi civilians, leading to widespread condemnation and questions about the role of private military firms in war zones. In response to mounting scrutiny and damaged reputation, Blackwater rebranded multiple times, eventually becoming Academi after being sold in 2010.
What’s going on now: While speaking on NewsNation, Prince confirmed that he pitched a detailed $25 billion mass deportation plan to advisers of President Donald Trump, aiming to remove 12 million undocumented immigrants from the US by 2026. Prince co-authored this 26-page plan with former Blackwater COO Bill Matthews under a newly formed group called 2USV. Prince argues that this proposal can achieve scale by leveraging private sector logistics and by implementing private “processing camps” on US Army bases to temporarily detain individuals before deportation. The plan outlines the deployment of 100 privately owned aircraft dedicated to transporting approximately 500,000 people per month, arguing this approach would be more cost-effective and scalable than using military aircraft like the C-17.
The proposal also includes deputizing 10,000 private citizens by granting them law enforcement powers to assist in the deportation effort. To incentivize participation, Prince’s plan suggests a bounty system, offering cash rewards to individuals who facilitate successful deportations. This approach, according to the document, is designed to encourage public cooperation and enhance the scale of the operation. Additionally, the proposal recommends holding public hearings for detainees to increase transparency and stimulate public engagement, aiming to legitimize the mass deportation process.
Despite circulating among Trump’s advisers, the administration has not yet indicated any plans to implement it. During his cabinet meeting, President Trump said he had not seen the proposal.
Another view: This all comes as some civil rights organizations are pushing back against Prince’s mass deportation proposal, condemning it as inhumane and dangerous. Beatriz Lopez, co-executive director of the Immigration Hub, called the plan “despicable,” stating that it would lead to “mass internment, detention camps, and a civilian army to come after our neighbors, family, and friends.” She further criticized it as the “opening act” in a broader agenda of “state-sanctioned ‘hunts’ for immigrant families.”
