Exporting Injustice: How Your Tax Dollars Fund Overseas Immigrant Detention

By U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – www.ice.gov, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42959693

Immigration Policy or Prejudice

The Trump administration has initiated efforts to deport migrants to various countries, including Libya, Rwanda, Benin, Eswatini, Moldova, Mongolia, and Kosovo. Negotiations are also underway to designate Latin American nations like Honduras and Costa Rica as alternative asylum destinations. These actions aim to expand deportation capabilities, despite legal challenges and resistance from some nations.
In a specific instance, the administration deported over 100 Venezuelan men, alleged to be members of the Tren de Aragua gang, to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Despite lacking criminal records and evidence of wrongdoing, these individuals were imprisoned in CECOT, a facility known for severe human rights abuses. Legal experts and the ACLU argue that this violates due process protected by the Fifth Amendment.
Implementing a mass deportation plan would impose significant costs on U.S. taxpayers. Estimates suggest that deporting approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants could cost between $88 billion annually and nearly $1 trillion over a decade. These figures encompass expenses related to apprehension, detention, legal proceedings, and transportation. Additionally, such actions could shrink the U.S. economy by at least 4.2%, due to the loss of workers in industries already struggling to find sufficient labor.
Beyond the direct financial costs, mass deportations could lead to substantial economic and social consequences, including labor shortages in critical industries, reduced tax revenues, and the separation of millions of families. Undocumented immigrants contribute significantly to the U.S. economy through labor and taxes, and their removal could negatively impact economic growth and stability.
As of April 2025, specific data on the exact costs to U.S. taxpayers for sending immigrants to foreign prisons or detention facilities is not publicly disclosed. However, available information provides insights into the substantial expenses associated with such immigration enforcement measures:

• General Deportation Costs: The per capita cost of deportation has varied over the years. From 2015 to 2022, the average cost was approximately $12,124 per individual, with figures ranging from $9,767 under President Obama to $11,637 during President Trump’s tenure. These estimates include enforcement and removal operations but may not account for all related expenses.
• Detention Expenses: Detaining immigrants is a significant financial undertaking. For instance, the South Texas Family Residential Center reportedly costs about $19 million per month to operate.
• Use of Guantanamo Bay: Proposals to detain immigrants at Guantanamo Bay have raised concerns about exorbitant costs. Estimates suggest that housing each detainee there could cost around $44 million annually, due to the facility’s isolation and reliance on imported resources.

It’s important to note that these figures may not encompass all expenses, such as legal processing, transportation, and potential diplomatic costs. Additionally, the financial implications of detaining immigrants in foreign facilities can vary based on agreements with host countries and the specific logistics involved.