In a significant shift in deportation policies, the Trump administration has reportedly stopped using military aircraft to deport migrants who entered the United States illegally due to high costs and inefficiency. According to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the last deportation flight using military planes was conducted on March 1, and the suspension may become permanent.
Why Military Aircraft Were Used for Deportation
Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump initiated the use of military planes for deporting undocumented migrants as part of his strict immigration policies. The administration justified this decision as a symbolic warning to deter illegal immigration, emphasizing harsh consequences for those entering the country unlawfully.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reinforced this message, stating, “If you break the law, if you are a criminal, you can find your way at Guantanamo Bay. You don’t want to be at Guantanamo Bay.”
Indians Among Migrants Deported on Military Flights
Among those affected by this policy were hundreds of Indian nationals who were deported on US Air Force C-17 and C-130 cargo planes. Reports indicate that these individuals were shackled and restrained throughout the flight and were only freed upon arrival in India.
Other destinations for these flights included Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Ecuador, and Peru, with some migrants even being flown to Guantanamo Bay before further deportation proceedings.
The High Cost of Military Deportation Flights
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) traditionally manages deportation operations using commercial flights, which are significantly more cost-effective. However, Trump’s use of military aircraft led to exorbitant expenses for taxpayers:
- Three deportation flights to India alone cost $3 million each.
- Flights to Guantanamo Bay had an estimated cost of $20,000 per migrant.
- A C-17 military cargo plane costs $28,500 per hour to operate, far exceeding the $8,500 per hour for standard ICE deportation flights.
Adding to these expenses, longer flight routes were required as military planes were not allowed to use Mexican airspace, increasing flight duration and fuel costs.
Latin American Resistance to US Military Deportation
Several Latin American countries, including Mexico, Colombia, and Venezuela, refused to permit US military deportation flights to land in their territories. Instead, they opted to arrange for deported migrants to return via commercial flights or government-chartered aircraft.
- Colombia denied entry to two C-17 flights in January, leading Trump to threaten economic tariffs. Although the White House later claimed that Colombia had agreed to accept deported migrants, no US military planes landed there—Colombia instead used its own aircraft.
- Venezuela, after years of refusing to accept deported citizens, sent two commercial flights in February to bring back 190 Venezuelan nationals.
A Policy Reconsideration?
As costs soared and international resistance grew, the Trump administration’s approach to deportations appears to be shifting. While the president remains committed to his hardline immigration policies, the decision to suspend military deportation flights highlights the challenges and financial burden of his strategy.
With deportation operations continuing via commercial airlines, the administration may seek alternative measures to enforce immigration laws without the excessive costs associated with military transport.
