A report from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, has revealed that the U.S. government spent approximately $151 billion on illegal immigration in 2023. This figure represents 2.6% of the federal government’s $6.1 trillion annual budget.
The report, shared on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizes the significant financial burden of illegal immigration, highlighting that the total cost is nearly equivalent to the government’s expenditure on veteran security programs in 2023. DOGE compared the spending on illegal immigration to major historical government projects, noting that the Apollo Space Program cost $257 billion and World War I cost $334 billion in adjusted inflation.
A key finding from the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) study, which DOGE referenced, showed that the gross negative impact of illegal immigration was $182 billion. After factoring in $32 billion in tax revenue collected from illegal immigrants, the net cost to taxpayers was calculated at $151 billion.
Additionally, the study estimated that the cost of illegal immigration amounts to approximately $1,156 per American taxpayer annually, or $957 after accounting for taxes paid by illegal immigrants.
DOGE’s social media post highlights the financial strain placed on U.S. taxpayers and suggests that reducing these costs could be a priority for the upcoming Trump administration, which is expected to focus on curbing government spending and reducing regulations.