A C-17 waits to take off for a migrant removal flight at Tucson International Airport, Ariz., Jan. 23, 2025. Dept. of Defense photo
The U.S. military has spent more than $21 million flying deportation missions on military aircraft since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term, according to figures released today.
Between January 20 and April 8, U.S. Transportation Command flew 46 deportation flights, racking up over 800 flight hours at an average cost of $26,277 per hour, the military confirmed.
These flights were part of the Trump administration’s stepped-up efforts to remove migrants from the United States, which also include immigration raids, arrests, and expanded detention efforts at the southern border.
In addition to the flights, Trump has deployed thousands of additional troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, where they have been given authority to assist in migrant detention in designated areas.
Critics say the use of military resources for immigration enforcement—traditionally handled by civilian agencies—is both costly and politically driven.
The Pentagon did not say how many migrants were deported on the flights or provide a breakdown of the destinations.