How is the number 1.5 trillion being arrived at?
The truth is nuanced, although if added in a certain way, one can arrive at 1.5 trillion.
Below is a breakdown of two major claims regarding federal spending related to immigration, based on recent budget debates and publicly available fact-checks.
Claim 1: Democrats Want to Spend $1.5 Trillion on Undocumented Immigrants
The claim that Democrats proposed $1.5 trillion specifically for undocumented immigrants is misleading. This figure originated from a political disagreement over a Democratic counter-proposal during recent government funding debates, but the cost was not primarily tied to “free healthcare for illegals.”
Claim 2: Biden Administration Spending on Migrants and Border Enforcement
It is not possible to provide a single number for how much the administration spent only on people who are undocumented, as federal immigration budgets cover a wide range of activities that apply to all individuals crossing or detained at the border (including asylum seekers and legal entrants).
However, the administration has consistently sought and received multi-billion dollar appropriations for the agencies responsible for border security and immigration processing.
The budget for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agencies involved in immigration is massive, with the total federal spending on immigration enforcement and border infrastructure since 2003 estimated to be over $400 billion (across multiple administrations).
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