U.S. Senator Gary Peters criticized the Trump administration\u2019s use of the Guantanamo Bay naval base to detain migrants, citing a staggering daily cost of $100,000 per person during a Senate hearing on Tuesday. The expense, far exceeding the $165 per day rate at standard U.S. immigration facilities, has sparked bipartisan concerns over fiscal responsibility.
Peters, the top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security Committee, questioned Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about the rationale behind transferring migrants to the Cuban base only to later return them to the U.S. at taxpayer expense. \u201cWe\u2019re spending $100,000 a day to keep someone at Guantanamo,\u201d Peters said. \u201cI think that\u2019s kind of outrageous.\u201d
The criticism comes as the White House seeks a $44 billion boost for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in fiscal year 2026, aiming to expand immigration enforcement. Noem, defending the budget request, stated she was unaware of the Guantanamo detention costs. A DHS spokesperson emphasized President Trump\u2019s commitment to \u201ckeeping Americans safe.\u201d
Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a lawsuit alleging inhumane conditions at the base, including prolonged solitary confinement and restricted family contact. Approximately 70 migrants are currently detained there, according to an unnamed U.S. official.
Republican Senator Rand Paul also raised concerns about border spending, noting a sharp decline in illegal crossings since 2017. A proposed House budget allocates $46.5 billion for border barriers, prompting calls for moderation. \u201cI\u2019m not saying no new money is needed,\u201d Paul said, \u201cbut it should be within reason.\u201d
