Expensive military planes, deportees in chains: Why Trump is crafting a powerful visual for the world

A C-17 military aircraft carrying over 100 illegal Indian immigrants landed in Amritsar on Wednesday—one of many such planes crisscrossing the globe, repatriating those who entered US illegally and are now caught in Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.

The Trump administration’s decision to use US military planes for deportations has also sparked international backlash, particularly with countries like Colombia.

While the move to use military planes is a clear message by Trump that he will go hard on illegal immigration, it also raises questions about the steep costs involved in the process.

The use of military planes for deportations is highly unusual. Defense officials told the New York Times that it has rarely, if ever, been done in recent times.

President Trump signed an executive order last week authorizing the military to assist in securing the US border and conducting deportations.

Acting Defense Secretary Robert Salesses confirmed that the Department of Defense would “provide military airlift” for the deportation of over 5,000 migrants being held at the US-Mexico border.

The Trump administration has been showing images of deportees boarding hulking, slate-gray C-17 Air Force planes in shackles to send a strong message about its immigration stance.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted such images on social media with the caption: “President Trump is sending a strong and clear message to the entire world: if you illegally enter the United States of America, you will face severe consequences.”

Just as he promised, President Trump is sending a strong message to the world: those who enter the United States illegally will face serious consequences. pic.twitter.com/yqgtF1RX6K

The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 24, 2025

Despite the messaging, military planes account for only a small fraction of deportation flights, with most deportations still occurring on commercial charter flights run by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the NY Times reported.

C-17 Globemaster III aircraft are primarily used for military transport and humanitarian missions. Deploying them for deportations comes at a steep price. And it's clear that the Trump administration is ready to pay it.

A 2022 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report estimated the cost of operating a C-17 at approximately $23,811 per flight hour.

Given that flights to Latin America can last several hours, a single deportation mission could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, far exceeding the cost of ICE charter flights.

Former ICE officials have questioned the efficiency of using military planes when commercial charters can achieve the same goal at a fraction of the cost.

Trump's decision to deport migrants using military aircraft has also created tensions with some Latin American governments.

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro initially refused to accept deportees arriving on US military planes, leading to a diplomatic standoff, the NYT report said.

“On civilian planes, where they’re not treated like delinquents, we will welcome our compatriots,” Petro stated.

He later reversed his decision under US pressure, but concerns remain over how migrants are treated on these flights.

Mexico and Brazil have also lodged complaints, particularly over the use of shackles and chains on deportees.

Despite pushback, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has vowed to continue military deportation flights, saying, “That is something the Defense Department absolutely will continue to do.”