Israel Begins Charging Illegal Immigrants for Deportation Flights to Cut Public Costs

Israel annually deports thousands of illegal immigrants and workers, covering all costs including detention, food, medical care, and return flights to their home countries. Despite a 2001 law allowing the state to recover deportation expenses from the deportees, either directly or through their employers or deposits, the government had not implemented mechanisms to enforce this payment, resulting in taxpayers funding these operations.

Following a 2024 petition by the Israel Immigration Policy Center demanding enforcement of the law, the government has started to collect some deportation costs. In the first half of 2026, the state recovered 860,000 shekels from dozens of deportees, though this only covers part of the expenses. The government also allowed 58 deportees to pay for their own flights. Officials estimate that full cost recovery could save millions of shekels annually.

During a February 2025 Supreme Court hearing, justices expressed frustration that the law permits but does not require cost recovery, and that no practical system existed to collect payments. Judges Yael Wilner and Salberg criticized the situation, highlighting the absurdity of taxpayers funding flights for those who want to pay themselves. Government representative Avi Milikovsky acknowledged technical difficulties in enabling deportees to pay directly.

Jonathan Yakubovitch, director of the Israel Immigration Policy Center, welcomed the change, calling it a long-overdue end to "anarchy" where the state spent hundreds of millions of shekels on deportations. He noted that the previous system incentivized illegal immigration, as deportees knew they only needed to buy a one-way ticket and the state would cover the return flight if caught. He hopes the new policy will reduce illegal immigration by making deportees bear their own costs.

The government’s move marks a significant shift toward enforcing existing laws and reducing the financial burden on Israeli taxpayers related to illegal immigration deportations.