A recent Senate hearing has revealed a staggering statistic that’s turning heads across America: it costs the U.S. government an estimated $100,000 per day to detain just one migrant at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba — a move championed by President Donald Trump. This revelation is sparking serious debate over government spending and immigration policy.
Senator Gary Peters, a Democrat and ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, called out what he described as “outrageous and wasteful” spending during a hearing on Tuesday. According to Peters, the cost is drastically higher than the $165 per day it typically takes to detain a migrant in standard U.S. immigration detention centers.
“We’re spending $100,000 a day to keep someone at Guantanamo. Then we fly them back to the U.S. when we could’ve kept them here for far less. It’s outrageous,” Peters said.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was pressed about the figures, but Secretary Kristi Noem was unable to provide an answer regarding the daily cost. Despite the lack of clarity, the numbers were met with alarm and criticism from both sides of the aisle.
Why Is Guantanamo Being Used for Migrant Detention?
The use of Guantanamo Bay — historically known for detaining terrorism suspects — for migrants is part of President Trump’s hardline immigration strategy. The administration has made a $44 billion funding request for DHS in its 2026 fiscal budget, aiming to ramp up deportations and border enforcement.
A U.S. official speaking anonymously revealed that roughly 70 migrants are currently being held at the naval base. The White House has not commented on the cost per detainee but defended the overall policy in the name of national security.
“President Trump is committed to keeping Americans safe,” said DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.
However, civil rights groups are pushing back. In March, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit to block migrant transfers to Guantanamo, alleging inhumane conditions. According to the ACLU, detainees have been confined to windowless rooms for 23 hours a day, subjected to strip searches, denied family contact, and in some cases, driven to attempt suicide.
Even Republicans Question the Spending
It’s not just Democrats who are raising eyebrows. Senator Rand Paul, a Republican and chair of the committee, questioned the Trump administration’s push for additional border wall funding, especially since illegal border crossings have sharply declined.
“I’m not saying no new money is needed,” Paul said. “You’ll need more Border Patrol, sure — but it should be within reason.”
A new House budget proposal has earmarked $46.5 billion solely for border wall construction — an amount that many critics view as excessive given the current decrease in illegal crossings.
As the 2026 budget discussions heat up, this debate could reshape how Americans view immigration policy, government accountability, and the financial burden of enforcement strategies.
