Bannon Calls for Expulsion of Half of 55 Million Visa Holders to Solve Affordability Crisis

Louis Anslow, a prominent figure on social media, shared a statement attributed to Steve Bannon on August 23, 2025, advocating for the immediate expulsion of a significant portion of visa holders in the United States. Bannon, a former White House strategist, asserted that removing "Half of the 55 million visa holders should have their papers pulled tomorrow. Give them 30 days to leave. Boom. Affordability crisis solved." This provocative declaration links mass deportation directly to alleviating economic pressures.

The figure of "55 million visa holders" refers to the total number of foreign nationals with valid U.S. visas, including tourists, temporary workers, and green card holders, who are currently subject to a "continuous vetting" process by the Trump administration. This vetting aims to identify potential violations that could lead to visa revocation and deportation, as confirmed by the U.S. State Department. The administration has intensified its immigration crackdown, leading to increased scrutiny of all visa categories.

Bannon's specific proposal, shared via the @Bannons_WarRoom account, suggests an unprecedented and rapid removal of approximately 27.5 million individuals. The tweet frames this drastic measure as a swift solution to the nation's affordability challenges, implying that a reduction in the foreign population would directly lower costs of living for American citizens.

However, economic analyses widely contradict the notion that mass deportations would solve an affordability crisis. Experts from institutions like the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the Peterson Institute for International Economics warn that such actions would likely lead to severe negative economic consequences. Zeke Hernandez, an economics professor, stated that mass deportations would be "an economic disaster for America and Americans," potentially increasing prices across various sectors.

Studies indicate that removing millions of immigrants, particularly those in the workforce, would exacerbate labor shortages in critical industries such as agriculture, construction, and hospitality. This reduction in the labor supply is projected to drive up wages and operational costs for businesses, which would then be passed on to consumers, further contributing to inflation rather than alleviating it. The loss of immigrant workers could also lead to a decline in GDP and job losses for U.S.-born workers, as immigrants often fill jobs that Americans are less willing to do or complement the native-born workforce.