The Department of Homeland Security's spending on weapons for ICE surged to over 144 million dollars in 2025, according to a report by Senator Adam Schiff.
In 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spent over 144 million dollars on weapons, ammunition, and related accessories for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, marking a significant increase in expenditure. This spending surge was highlighted in a supervisory report by Senator Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, which emphasized a drastic rise in the financial commitment intended to enhance the arsenal of both ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The report draws on official public contracting data, providing insights into the DHS's allocation of resources towards enforcement agencies.
Specifically, the report illustrates that ICE's commitments to spending on weapons, ammunition, and accessories quadrupled—an increase of over 360%—in 2025 compared to the previous fiscal year. This significant upturn in funding reflects the Biden administration’s priorities regarding immigration enforcement and the substantial resources directed towards equipping enforcement agencies. The implications of such investment suggest a continued emphasis on militarization within the framework of immigration policy and enforcement.
The findings raise questions about the direction of U.S. immigration policy, especially regarding the balance between enforcement and humanitarian considerations. The substantial increase in budget allocation for ICE could provoke further debates in Congress and among the public regarding the effectiveness and moral implications of using military-style resources in domestic law enforcement.
