Elon Musk bashes government spending on illegal immigrants: ‘boggles the mind!’

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has recently announced plans to slash funding for services for illegal immigrants as part of their efforts to reduce government spending. The department, which is not officially part of the government but is expected to be empowered by President-elect Trump to implement changes within government agencies, highlighted the staggering cost of illegal immigration to taxpayers.

In a post on X, DOGE revealed that in 2023 alone, U.S. spending on illegal immigration amounted to a whopping $150.7 billion. This figure, when adjusted for inflation, is comparable to the total government spending during World War I, the Apollo space program, and significantly more than iconic projects such as the Manhattan Project, the Panama Canal, and the Hoover Dam.

Elon Musk also expressed his astonishment at the scale of spending on illegal immigration, emphasizing the need for greater efficiency and accountability in government spending. The data cited by DOGE is based on a 2023 study by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), which estimated the net cost of illegal immigration to be $150.7 billion, equivalent to $1,156 per taxpayer.

FAIR’s executive director, Julie Kirchner, noted that the $150.7 billion estimate is conservative and likely much higher due to the continued rise in the undocumented migrant population. She highlighted the significant impact of state and local spending on services for illegal immigrants, including education, health care, and incarceration, which account for a substantial portion of government expenditure.

While exact numbers at the local level are hard to come by, cities across America are shouldering a significant burden in providing services to asylum seekers and undocumented migrants. New York City estimates spending over $12 billion through fiscal year 2025 on asylum seekers, while Chicago reportedly spent $400 million on migrant services in the last two years.

Kirchner emphasized the need to end government health care plans for illegal immigrants and close loopholes allowing them to access income tax and child tax credits. She believes that by implementing these changes, DOGE can save taxpayers billions of dollars each year and curb the incentives for illegal immigration.

As the Trump administration prepares to take office, the focus on government efficiency and reducing wasteful spending on illegal immigration is expected to intensify. With DOGE at the helm, there is optimism for significant cost savings and a more streamlined approach to addressing the challenges posed by illegal immigration.