USA will spend 239 billion on detention centers for migrants
The US plans to significantly increase its capacity for detaining migrants by the end of 2026, allocating $38 billion for the establishment and renovation of detention centers.
The US immigration authorities have outlined a plan to dramatically increase the number of immigrants they can detain by the end of 2026. A total of $38 billion—approximately 239 billion krone—has been allocated for the establishment and renovation of detention centers across the country, as reported by the AFP news agency. This move aims to enhance the capabilities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to reach a goal of 100,000 beds in total and comes in line with an expectation of rising immigration enforcement actions and arrests in the coming years.
Under the leadership of Republican President Donald Trump, the US government is executing a controversial campaign that involves mass deportations of migrants currently residing in the country. Documented plans indicate that ICE will increase its capacity to 92,600 detention beds, reflecting a strategic shift in responding to migration trends. As immigration enforcement tightens, it is likely that the agency will see an escalation in operations to detain and process a greater number of individuals.
The allocation of such a significant budget towards detention centers signifies the administration's focus on stringent immigration control and raises questions about the humanitarian implications of mass detention practices. Critics often argue against the moral and ethical considerations involved in detaining vulnerable populations, while supporters may point to the need for security and law enforcement. Regardless, this proposed budget and operational exposure highlights the contentious debate surrounding immigration policy and enforcement in the US.