The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, has reported that the U.S. government spent approximately $151 billion on illegal immigration in 2023. This expenditure represents 2.6% of the federal government’s total annual spending of $6.1 trillion.

In a post on its DOGE X account, the organization highlighted the financial impact, stating, “In 2023 alone, illegal immigration cost taxpayers $150.7 billion.” DOGE also provided comparative figures for context, adjusted for inflation: World War I cost $334 billion, the Apollo Space Program $257 billion, and the Manhattan Project $30 billion, reports Daily Mail.

The reported $151 billion spent on illegal immigration is comparable to the government’s 2023 budget for security programs for veterans and their survivors, according to The Daily Mail. Under the Biden-Harris administration, illegal immigration numbers have surged, with record-breaking entries into the country.

DOGE has also highlighted other areas of government spending that it believes warrant scrutiny. For instance, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) allocated $1.8 billion in 2024 to studying the health impacts of “racism.” In a late November post, DOGE noted, “In 2024, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) spent $1.8 billion studying racism.”

DOGE has further criticized federal agencies for inefficient use of office space in Washington, D.C. According to the organization, federal agencies utilize, on average, just 12% of their headquarters’ capacity. The Department of Agriculture, which has space for over 7,400 employees, averaged only 456 workers on-site each day. DOGE questioned, “Why are American taxpayer dollars being spent to maintain empty buildings?”

Several GOP lawmakers in both the House and Senate have aligned themselves with DOGE’s recommendations for cutting wasteful spending. On Tuesday, the first House Democrat joined the Congressional DOGE Caucus, signaling bipartisan support for reforming government efficiency.