U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other agencies have reportedly wasted tens of millions of dollars on ineffective plans to rapidly increase detention capacity, according to a report released by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) on September 24, 2026. The report indicates that mismanagement is likely to lead to further waste. The GAO documented various costly issues with initiatives ICE has pursued since President Donald Trump took office in January 2025, including nearly $3 million spent on tents at Guantanamo Bay that were never used and $20 million on warehouses that have not housed any detainees.
Congress allocated ICE an unprecedented $45 billion to expand detention capacity last year, but the agency reportedly lacks a comprehensive strategic plan for its spending. The detainee population increased from 39,000 in January 2025 to 67,000 by July 30, 2026. The GAO warned that without proper management of detention investments, ICE risks making uninformed decisions that could lead to further inefficiencies and waste.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ICE's parent agency, stated it would develop a plan for detention expansion by August 31, 2027, but the GAO suggested this timeline may be too late to prevent additional waste. The report highlighted that after Trump returned to office, the government began spending rapidly on detention plans, including a failed initiative to use Guantanamo Bay for immigration detention. The Department of Defense spent $2.85 million to set up tents for 5,000 detainees, but they were removed without being used due to not meeting detention standards.
ICE also purchased 11 warehouses for $1.07 billion to increase detention capacity, but this plan was abandoned due to public opposition before any detainees were housed. The agency has incurred $20 million in costs related to these warehouses, which it will not recover. Additionally, ICE has faced high costs under agreements with the Bureau of Prisons for housing detainees, which require reimbursement at rates significantly higher than ICE's normal rates.
The report also noted that ICE never finalized a contract with Florida to operate a facility known as "Alligator Alcatraz," which was closed in June 2026 after reports of poor conditions. DHS agreed to reimburse the state through a $608 million FEMA grant, which includes a charge of $249 per detainee per day, significantly higher than ICE's usual rate.
ICE is also facing costs related to renovations at facilities in Arizona and Maryland, which are currently on hold due to legal challenges. The GAO's findings indicate a need for improved planning and management within ICE to avoid further financial inefficiencies.