President Donald Trump’s military deportation flights are costing U.S. taxpayers far more than expected. The first flight to Guatemala on Monday is estimated to have cost at least $4,675 per migrant, a far cry from the $853 it would cost for a first-class seat on American Airlines from El Paso, Texas. The price tag is five times higher than a commercial flight.
Part of Trump’s immigration plan
The operation is part of Trump’s national emergency declaration on immigration, aimed at stepping up deportations. So far, six deportation flights have taken place, all heading to Latin America. However, only four of those flights have landed—two were rerouted to Colombia after a standoff with Trump.
Costs of military flights skyrocket
A U.S. official revealed the cost of operating a C-17 military transport aircraft is about $28,500 per hour. The Guatemala flight took around 10.5 hours of flying time. This brings the total cost to an eye-popping figure, not including ground operations or the preparation of the aircraft.
A Guatemalan official confirmed that 64 migrants were on board the flight on Monday. This highlights how expensive the U.S. military’s role in deportations has become. The Pentagon didn’t comment on the cost of the operation.
Trump defends military flights
Trump defended his use of military aircraft during a speech at his Doral golf club. He told Republican lawmakers that this tactic would continue, emphasizing that countries refusing U.S. deportation flights would face high economic penalties.
“For the first time in history, we are loading illegal aliens into military aircraft and flying them back to where they came from,” Trump said, receiving applause.
Deportation flights: more than commercial charter
The cost of military flights is much higher than using commercial charter planes. For comparison, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) charter flights cost about $8,577 per flight hour, according to ICE’s 2021 figures. A typical ICE deportation flight, with 135 people, takes five hours, translating to $630 per person.
Military flights cost more
In contrast, military flights are far pricier. Each hour spent in a C-17 costs $28,500, and with a 10.5-hour round-trip, the price per person is much higher. The soaring costs of using military planes have raised concerns about the efficiency of Trump’s deportation strategy.
A former ICE official revealed that ICE flights have become more expensive in recent years, but they are still significantly cheaper than military flights. The C-17 planes used for deportations are capable of carrying far fewer people than commercial planes, making them an even costlier option.
Diplomatic struggles over deportations
The U.S. military’s role in deportations has stirred controversy, especially after Colombia refused to let the C-17s land on their territory. Instead, Colombia deployed its own planes to collect migrants, signaling a diplomatic struggle over Trump’s tough stance on immigration.
A high price for immigration policy
Despite the high costs, the White House has made it clear that Trump’s military deportation flights are here to stay. Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary, posted images last week showing migrants boarding the C-17s, with a clear message: “If you illegally enter the United States, you will face severe consequences.”
Trump’s military deportation flights represent a major shift in U.S. immigration policy. The soaring costs have raised questions about whether this strategy is sustainable in the long run. The price of using military aircraft for deportations is vastly higher than the costs associated with commercial charter flights.
Trump’s vision for immigration
But for Trump, the message is clear. His administration is taking a hardline approach to immigration, and using the military to enforce it is a key part of that strategy. While the high price tag may raise eyebrows, Trump remains committed to his vision of strong borders and swift deportations.
The bill for taxpayers
For now, the military flights continue, sending migrants back to their home countries. Whether this policy remains financially viable in the future remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure—Trump’s use of military aircraft for deportations is not just about sending a message. It’s also sending taxpayers the bill.
