How much money has the US government over the last four years spent on migrants

Answered at Nov 19, 2024

Government Spending on Migrants: A Four-Year Overview

The United States has seen significant spending on migrants over the past four years. This report breaks down the costs and provides a clear picture of where the money has gone.

Total Spending Overview

  • Federal and State Spending: The federal government spent approximately $66 billion annually on migrants, while states contributed around $115 billion. This brings the total annual spending to about $150 billion (source).

  • Tax Contributions: Migrants have contributed approximately $31 billion in taxes, reducing the net fiscal burden to $150 billion annually (source).

Breakdown of Spending

Social Services

  • Housing and Rent: New York City alone spent $1.98 billion on housing and rent for migrants (source).

  • Services and Supplies: An additional $2 billion was spent on various services and supplies (source).

  • Food and Medical Costs: Nearly $500 million went towards food and medical expenses (source).

  • IT and Administrative Costs: Another $500 million was allocated for IT and administrative purposes (source).

State-Specific Spending

  • California: Spent around $22 billion in 2022, the highest among all states (source).

  • Texas: Followed with $9 billion in spending (source).

  • Other States: Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois also reported significant expenditures (source).

Immigration Enforcement and Border Security

  • Total Spending Since 2003: The U.S. federal government has spent an estimated $409 billion on immigration enforcement agencies (source).

  • FY 2024 Allocations: Congress allocated $3.43 billion to immigration detention centers, $840 million to the immigration court system, and $424 million to the USCIS refugee and asylum division (source).

Economic Context

  • Comparison to GDP: The $150.7 billion spent on illegal immigration annually exceeds the GDP of several U.S. states, including Mississippi and New Mexico (source).

  • Individual Taxpayer Burden: Each illegal alien or their U.S.-born child costs the U.S. $8,776 annually, with each taxpayer contributing roughly $957 after accounting for taxes paid by migrants (source).

Conclusion

The financial impact of migrant spending in the U.S. is substantial, with both federal and state governments bearing significant costs. While migrants contribute to the economy through taxes, the net fiscal burden remains high. This spending reflects a complex interplay of social services, state-specific needs, and enforcement costs.