From Tech Firms to Trump Allies: $22 Billion Earned from U.S. Immigration Crackdown

by Oh Suyon

Published 30 Jan.2026 10:55(KST)

Deloitte, Palantir, and Others Secure Contracts with ICE and CBP

It has been revealed that companies contracted with U.S. immigration enforcement agencies under the Donald Trump administration last year earned more than $22 billion (approximately 31.4952 trillion won). Consulting firms, technology companies, charter flight operators, and businesses run by close associates of President Trump have benefited from the surge in spending by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

According to an analysis of government contract data by the Financial Times (FT) on the 29th (local time), the company that generated the most revenue through contracts with immigration-related agencies since the Trump administration returned to office was Fisher Sand & Gravel. This company is led by Tommy Fisher, a major Republican donor. By signing a contract to build part of the southern U.S. border wall with CBP, the company earned $6 billion since July last year.

On the 28th (local time), an anti-ICE rally held in San Francisco. Photo by AP News Agency

The biggest beneficiary of ICE contracts was CSI Aviation, which brokers charter flights for ICE, securing contracts worth more than $1.2 billion since January last year. The consulting firm Deloitte won new business worth over $100 million from ICE and CBP last year. Recently, Deloitte also renewed its contract to receive additional funding for "enforcement systems and analytics for law enforcement and removal operations." This includes funding for "internet research and data analysis support services" for ICE's targeted operations division.

Palantir has secured contracts worth $81 million from ICE since January last year. According to federal contract announcements, the company signed a $30 million contract in April last year to develop an operating system for tracking voluntary removals. Palantir also entered into contracts to provide tools needed to streamline the identification and apprehension of undocumented immigrants. Alex Karp, Palantir's CEO, stated last year, "I will use all my influence to ensure this country maintains a skeptical stance on immigration and has deterrence. Are we supposed to pretend that having borders is immoral?"

After President Trump's inauguration in January last year, funds began to flow from ICE and CBP to these companies. This trend accelerated especially after the passage of the large-scale spending bill known as the "big beautiful bill" in July. Following the bill's passage, ICE's contract spending more than doubled from the previous six months ($1.5 billion) to $3.7 billion. CBP's spending on private sector contractors in the second half of last year increased sevenfold compared to the first half. In this month alone, CBP signed contracts worth nearly $2 billion.