Washington, Dec 13 (LatestNewsX) – A new study presented by Democratic members of Congress on Capitol Hill reveals that the Trump administration pulled over $2 billion out of U.S. military funding in 2025 to back immigration enforcement, thereby eroding readiness and pressuring service members.
Titled “Draining Defense: Trump’s Immigration Stunts Cost Billions at the Expense of Military Readiness, Morale, and National Security,” the report argues the Department of Defense (DoD) has earmarked billions for tasks tied to immigration—a use that legislators claim deviates from the core national‑security responsibilities of the armed forces.
“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 affirms, adding that the Pentagon intends to spend “billions more” in the forthcoming fiscal year.
Lawmakers contend that the bulk of these funds have not been repaid by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), forcing the Pentagon to shuffle resources from priorities such as training, housing repairs, and infrastructure upgrades. The diversion is said to ripple through facilities, from barracks upkeep to “repairs for elementary schools attended by the children of our servicemembers.”
The analysis points to a heavy reliance on active‑duty troops and National Guard units for immigration duties, with deployments across the U.S.–Mexico border and cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland, and Memphis. Estimates place border‑related costs at roughly $1.3 billion, while domestic deployments add another $258 million.
In Los Angeles, a military stand‑by for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reportedly cost about $172 million. The breakdown covers meals, lodging, payroll, logistics, travel, and post‑mission demobilization for thousands of Marines and Guard personnel.
Detention operations conducted on military bases contributed additional hundreds of millions. DoD allocated over $420 million to such activities, including more than $363 million spent at Fort Bliss in Texas. The facility, the report notes, “has already ‘violated at least 60 federal standards for immigrant detention.’”
The Trump administration also broadened the use of Guantánamo Bay for detaining noncitizens—a new departure from prior practice. DoD’s first‑month expenditures there reached roughly $40 million. The report stresses that costs at Guantánamo far exceed those for domestic detention, citing higher expenses for transportation, staffing, and infrastructure.
Military aircraft were employed for deportations, driving up costs significantly. The report observes 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.” By September 2025, at least $33.1 million had been expended on military deportation flights, including trips to India that cost “$3 million each.”
Another issue highlighted is the reassignment of military legal staff. Up to 600 Judge Advocate General (JAG) officers were moved into temporary immigration‑judge roles, costing an estimated $55 million for pay and benefits while pulling experts away from military justice duties.
Beyond the fiscal implications, lawmakers warn of growing risks to operational readiness. Combat‑certified units were diverted to immigration missions, rendering them unavailable for potential contingencies. Similarly, Guard deployments curtailed states’ capacity to counter disasters such as 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 concludes, urging full reimbursement and an end to the diversions.
Immigration enforcement remains a hallmark of the administration, often framed as a national‑security priority. For U.S. allies and partners, including India, the authors caution that redirecting military assets to domestic law enforcement could weaken America’s ability to confront global security challenges, particularly in strategically sensitive regions.
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