Press Release: Concerns Raised Over High Costs of Migrant Detention at Guantanamo Bay
During a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on Tuesday, Senator Gary Peters criticized President Donald Trump’s administration for the exorbitant costs associated with housing migrants at Guantanamo Bay. Peters noted that each detainee is costing taxpayers approximately $100,000 per day, a stark contrast to the $165 daily cost in standard U.S. immigration detention facilities.
Peters confronted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over the issue, questioning the rationale behind sending detainees to the naval base in Cuba only to later transport them back to the mainland at additional taxpayer expense. "It’s kind of outrageous. We could keep them here more economically,” he stated, highlighting the concerning inefficiency in the current strategy.
The White House has recently requested a substantial increase in funding for immigration enforcement, aiming to fulfill Trump’s objectives of mass deportations. For fiscal year 2026, the administration is seeking an extra $44 billion for the Department of Homeland Security.
In her defense of the budget request, Secretary Noem admitted she was unaware of the Guantanamo Bay costs. Meanwhile, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin emphasized the administration’s commitment to national safety.
Reports suggest approximately 70 migrants are currently detained at Guantanamo, prompting the ACLU to file a lawsuit in March aimed at preventing the transfer of additional detainees to the facility. The lawsuit alleges disturbing conditions, including isolation, invasive searches, and limited family contact, raising significant ethical concerns.
Senator Rand Paul also expressed caution regarding increased spending on border barriers, noting a significant decrease in illegal crossings since Trump took office. He acknowledged the need for more resources but urged that spending should remain reasonable.
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