Trump Administration Halts Costly Military Deportation Flights

The decision follows reports of exorbitant costs and inefficiencies compared to civilian alternatives.

Military deportation flights, which cost up to $3 million per trip to India, were paused as of March 1, 2025, with a potential for the suspension to become permanent.
The Trump administration had used military aircraft like C-17s and C-130s for deportations to countries including India, Guatemala, and Honduras, as well as Guantanamo Bay, citing a tough stance on illegal immigration.
Costs for military flights were significantly higher than civilian deportation flights, with C-17 aircraft costing $28,500 per hour compared to $8,500 to $17,000 per hour for ICE-operated civilian flights.
Challenges such as restricted access to Mexican airspace and limited capacity on military planes further inflated costs and reduced efficiency.
Deportees reported being shackled during flights, and some countries, including Mexico and Colombia, refused to allow U.S. military planes to land, instead arranging for deportees to return via commercial or domestic flights.