ICE spent $71.5M on military gear in 2025’s first nine months, a 700% jump, sparking civil rights concerns.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spent $71.5 million on military-grade weapons and equipment in the first nine months of 2025, a 700% increase from the same period in 2024, according to federal procurement data analyzed by Popular Information. The purchases included small arms, body armor, chemical agents, and guided missile warheads. This surge coincided with heightened enforcement actions, including violent incidents involving federal agents in Chicago and Portland, where protesters and journalists were struck with pepper balls and other projectiles. Civil rights groups, including the ACLU of Illinois, have raised alarms over excessive force, the detention of U.S. citizens without legal counsel, and the arrest of minors, including children with cancer. Critics warn the militarization of ICE reflects a dangerous shift in domestic law enforcement, with some comparing the tactics to past civil rights violations.