U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that at least $19 billion was stolen from American government programs designed to support migrants. He made the statement during a televised interview with NewsNation, where he alleged widespread fraud and misuse of public funds linked to migrant assistance schemes.
According to Trump, the figure of $19 billion is only an estimate and may be far higher. “We have at least $19 billion in stolen funds, and I believe the actual figure will be much higher,” he said. He alleged that the theft occurred across multiple U.S. states, including California, which he has frequently criticized over its immigration policies.
Trump’s remarks come as part of a broader hardline immigration agenda that his administration rolled out immediately after he took office on January 20, 2025. From his first day in office, Trump has framed illegal immigration as a national security and economic issue, arguing that it places excessive strain on public resources.
In his inaugural address, Trump pledged to “immediately stop illegal immigration” and to begin mass deportations of millions of foreign nationals living in the United States without legal status. He also declared a national emergency at the southern border, a move that allowed his administration to unlock additional enforcement powers and funding.
As part of these efforts, Trump’s administration has ordered stricter oversight of federal and state-funded migrant programs. The president has repeatedly claimed that weak monitoring systems allowed funds meant for housing, food, healthcare, and legal support for migrants to be misappropriated or stolen.
Further tightening measures include an announcement by the U.S. State Department of a broad review and audit campaign targeting approximately 55 million U.S. visa holders. The review is expected to assess compliance with visa conditions and identify cases of overstaying, fraud, or misuse of public benefits.
While Trump and his supporters argue that the audits are necessary to protect taxpayers’ money and restore order to the immigration system, critics warn that the measures could create fear among legal migrants and strain already overstretched administrative systems.
The claim of $19 billion in stolen funds has not yet been independently verified, but it is likely to fuel ongoing political debate in the U.S. over immigration policy, government spending, and the treatment of migrants under the current administration.
What did Trump say about migrant aid funds?
Trump claimed that at least $19 billion was stolen from U.S. migrant aid programs and said the real amount could be even higher.