ICE has wasted tens of millions of dollars with 'uninformed' detention plans, GAO finds
Summary
A government report found that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) wasted tens of millions of dollars on poorly planned detention expansion efforts since President Donald Trump took office in 2025. The report highlighted unused tents at Guantanamo Bay, empty warehouses bought but unused, and expensive contracts with failed detention centers. ICE lacks a clear strategic plan for managing its $45 billion funding to increase detention capacity.Key Facts
- ICE was given $45 billion by Congress in 2025 to expand detention space.
- The detainee population increased from 39,000 in January 2025 to 67,000 by July 2027.
- Nearly $3 million was spent on tents at Guantanamo Bay that were never used because they did not meet standards.
- ICE bought 11 warehouses for $1.07 billion to hold detainees but plans to sell seven without housing anyone due to poor planning and public opposition.
- ICE spent $20 million on costs related to warehouses they will sell and $426 million on renovations halted by lawsuits.
- A Florida detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz" was costly and later closed.
- The Department of Homeland Security promised to create a plan for detention spending by August 2027, but this delay risks more wasted money.
- The Government Accountability Office (GAO), a congressional watchdog, issued these findings after investigating at the request of Democratic lawmakers.
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