Fact Check: "ICE's budget is larger than every country's military budget except the US and China."
What We Know
The claim that ICE's budget is larger than every country's military budget except the US and China stems from recent discussions surrounding proposed increases in ICE funding. According to a report from Newsweek, the proposed budget for ICE could reach approximately $150 billion over four years, averaging about $37.5 billion annually. This figure is notably higher than the military budgets of several countries, including Israel ($30 billion), the Netherlands ($27 billion), and Brazil ($26.1 billion) (source-2).
In comparison, the military expenditures for the top countries in 2024, as reported by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), show that the United States leads with a budget of $968 billion, followed by China at $235 billion. Other significant military budgets include Russia ($145.9 billion) and Germany ($86 billion) (source-1).
Analysis
The assertion that ICE's budget is larger than all but the military budgets of the US and China is partially true. The proposed budget of $37.5 billion per year does indeed exceed the military budgets of several countries ranked below the top two military spenders. However, it is essential to clarify that while the proposed funding is substantial, it does not surpass the military budgets of all countries globally.
For instance, as per the Global Firepower data for 2025, countries like Russia and India have military budgets that exceed ICE's proposed funding. The claim's validity hinges on the interpretation of "larger than every country's military budget except the US and China." If we consider only the budgets of countries ranked below the top two, the claim holds. However, it fails when including countries like Russia and India, which have military budgets that could surpass ICE's funding.
Moreover, the reliability of the sources varies. Newsweek is a reputable outlet, but the context of the claim is based on proposed funding that may not yet be finalized. The military expenditure data from SIPRI and Global Firepower is well-regarded and provides a solid foundation for comparison.
Conclusion
The verdict on the claim is Partially True. While ICE's proposed budget is indeed larger than the military budgets of many countries, it does not surpass those of all nations except the US and China. The claim lacks nuance regarding the context of military budgets globally, particularly concerning countries like Russia and India.
Sources
- List of countries with highest military expenditures
- ICE budget now bigger than most of the world's militaries
- Defense Budget by Country (2025)
- ICE’s Shocking Budget Surpasses Major World Militaries
- ICE As a Global Military Power
- Ranked: Top 15 Countries by Military Budgets in 2025
- Global Military Spending by Country in 2025 - FactoData
- Here's how much the ICE budget would increase under ...
