How Trump's $2 Billion Military Fund Diversion for Immigration Enforcement Impacts US Defense Readiness

The Trump administration reportedly utilized military aircraft for deportation operations, significantly increasing operational costs.

Washington:

According to a report released by Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill, the Trump administration redirected over $2 billion from US military funding in 2025 to bolster immigration enforcement operations, thereby undermining military readiness and placing additional strain on service members.

The report, titled "Draining Defense: Trump's Immigration Stunts Cost Billions at the Expense of Military Readiness, Morale, and National Security," indicates that the Department of Defense (DoD) has allocated billions of dollars to immigration-related missions—expenditures that lawmakers contend fall outside the military's fundamental national security responsibilities.

"The Department of Defense (DoD) has dedicated at least $2 billion to supporting immigration enforcement—money that should have gone toward supporting its core national security mission," the report states, further noting that the Pentagon intends to allocate "billions more" in the upcoming fiscal year.

The lawmakers report that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not reimbursed most of these funds, compelling the Pentagon to divert resources from military priorities including training, housing repairs, and infrastructure upgrades. The diversions have reportedly affected various areas from barracks maintenance to "repairs for elementary schools attended by the children of our servicemembers."

The document details extensive deployment of active-duty troops and National Guard units for immigration enforcement, including assignments to the US-Mexico border and American cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland, and Memphis. Lawmakers estimate border deployments alone cost approximately $1.3 billion, while deployments within the US added another $258 million.

In Los Angeles, a military operation supporting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) incurred estimated costs of $172 million. The report itemizes these expenses to include food, shelter, payroll, logistics, travel, and demobilization costs for thousands of Marines and National Guard personnel.

Detention operations at military installations accounted for hundreds of millions more. According to the report, DoD obligated over $420 million for detention activities, including more than $363 million spent at Fort Bliss in Texas. The report notes that the Fort Bliss facility "has already 'violated at least 60 federal standards for immigrant detention.'"

The Trump administration also expanded the use of Guantánamo Bay for immigration detention—diverging from previous practices. The report states that DoD spent approximately $40 million detaining non-citizens there in just the first month. Detention at Guantánamo costs substantially more than detention within the US, citing transportation, staffing, and infrastructure expenses.

Military aircraft utilization for deportations significantly increased operational costs. The report highlights that "it costs $28,500 an hour to fly a C-17, compared with $8,500 an hour for a standard US Immigration and Customs Enforcement flight." As of September 2025, at least $33.1 million had been spent on deportation flights using military aircraft, including flights to India costing "$3 million each."

The report further emphasizes the reassignment of military legal personnel. Up to 600 Judge Advocate General (JAG) officers were authorized to serve as temporary immigration judges, an arrangement estimated to cost $55 million in pay and benefits while removing legal officers from military justice responsibilities.

Beyond financial implications, the lawmakers warn of increasing risks to military readiness. Combat-certified units reassigned to immigration missions became unavailable for contingency operations. National Guard deployments, according to the report, also diminished states' capacity to respond to disasters like wildfires and floods.

"The Trump administration must stop degrading the military's fundamental mission by diverting the military's budget and critical resources to DHS's immigration functions," the report asserts, advocating for full reimbursement and cessation of the diversions.

Immigration enforcement has remained a central issue for the administration, frequently characterized as a national security priority.

For US allies and partners, including India, the report's authors warn that allocating military resources to domestic law enforcement risks weakening America's capability to address global security challenges, particularly in strategically important regions.