By Steve Neavling
ICE is facing a nearly $2 billion budget shortfall this fiscal year, far exceeding the additional $500 million Congress is considering, according to sources familiar with the agency’s communications, Axios reports.
Trump’s immigration crackdown, including plans to deport “millions” of unauthorized immigrants, would further strain ICE’s budget. Expanding detention capacity to 100,000 beds, hiring more agents, and increasing deportation flights would drive up costs.
Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., said the current spending plan is “not going to be sufficient.” He noted that “just the bed space alone becomes very significant,” adding, “to detain people for a couple of days while they’re processing, and then to be able to move out flights … is exceptionally expensive.”
Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., acknowledged a “significant” funding shortfall and said lawmakers will need to “make those adjustments moving forward in FY26 so we can continue the good work being done.”
A Government Accountability Office report found ICE has routinely overspent for years, often pulling funds from FEMA and the Coast Guard. Critics argue the agency intentionally overspends to justify an ever-growing budget.
The White House and DHS have not responded to requests for comment. Congress is debating a broader budget package that could send tens of billions more to immigration enforcement, but negotiations remain stalled.
