Administration of Justice
Federal law enforcement, the courts, prisons and immigration enforcement.
$85.2B
spent in fiscal year 2025 (net)
1.2 cents
of every federal dollar, the 10th largest purpose
$249
for every person in the country
+59.0%
since fiscal year 2015, before inflation
In 2015 it was $53.6B, or $72.8B in 2025 dollars; after inflation it has changed by +17.0% since then.
Over time
Net outlays for Administration of Justice in each fiscal year, from the Treasury’s September statements.
The figures
| Fiscal year | Net outlays | In 2025 dollars | Share of all spending |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $85,180,458,290 | $85.2B | 1.2% |
| 2024 | $85,034,018,367 | $87.3B | 1.3% |
| 2023 | $81,173,433,145 | $85.8B | 1.3% |
| 2022 | $72,090,892,982 | $79.3B | 1.1% |
| 2021 | $72,151,912,147 | $85.7B | 1.1% |
| 2020 | $72,102,351,855 | $89.7B | 1.1% |
| 2019 | $65,962,820,513 | $83.1B | 1.5% |
| 2018 | $61,473,646,311 | $78.8B | 1.5% |
| 2017 | $58,943,634,887 | $77.4B | 1.5% |
| 2016 | $57,144,161,860 | $76.7B | 1.5% |
| 2015 | $53,581,741,960 | $72.8B | 1.5% |
What is inside it
Its subfunctions, by the gross outlays of every agency account classified to each: before collections and transfers are netted, so they add to more than the Treasury’s figure above.
- Federal law enforcement activities70.8%$76,094,264,293
- Federal litigative and judicial activities10.9%$11,698,536,094
- Criminal justice assistance9.9%$10,645,697,994
- Federal correctional activities8.4%$9,066,153,816
- Gross outlays100%$107,504,652,197
Which agencies pay for each subfunction
Federal law enforcement activities
- Department of Homeland Security$57.2B75.2%
- Department of Justice$9.69B12.7%
- Department of the Treasury$8.39B11.0%
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission$452M0.6%
- Department of Education$197M0.3%
- Department of Housing and Urban Development$78M0.1%
- Department of Health and Human Services$57M0.1%
- Commission on Civil Rights$15M<0.1%
Show the other 2 agencies
- Access Board$9.1M<0.1%
- Administrative Conference of the U.S.$3.6M<0.1%
Federal litigative and judicial activities
- Department of Justice$10.8B92.6%
- Department of the Treasury$588M5.0%
- Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency$276M2.4%
Criminal justice assistance
- Department of Justice$10.4B97.3%
- Executive Office of the President$281M2.6%
- Department of the Treasury$4.7M<0.1%
Federal correctional activities
- Department of Justice$9.07B100.0%
Which agencies pay for it
Gross outlays from each agency’s accounts in this function. Open an agency to see everything else it spends on.
- Department of Homeland Security$57.2B53.2%
- Department of Justice$40.0B37.2%
- Department of the Treasury$8.98B8.4%
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission$452M0.4%
- Executive Office of the President$281M0.3%
- Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency$276M0.3%
- Department of Education$197M0.2%
- Department of Housing and Urban Development$78M0.1%
- Department of Health and Human Services$57M0.1%
- Commission on Civil Rights$15M<0.1%
- Access Board$9.1M<0.1%
- Administrative Conference of the U.S.$3.6M<0.1%
The accounts it is paid from
Every federal account in the function, by the amount obligated (committed) in the year, which is what USAspending’s spending explorer reports by function; each account’s gross outlays are beside it where its agency reported them. Each opens on USAspending.gov.
- Operations and Support, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $20.7B gross outlays$21.1B18.2%
- Operations and Support, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $10.5B gross outlays$11.8B10.2%
- Salaries and Expenses, Federal Prison System, JusticeFederal correctional activities · Department of Justice · $8.77B gross outlays$8.72B7.5%
- Refunds and Drawbacks, United States Customs Service (Indefinite), TreasuryFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $7.49B gross outlays$8.21B7.1%
- Enforcement, Internal Revenue ServiceFederal law enforcement activities · Department of the Treasury · $7.09B gross outlays$7.21B6.2%
- Procurement, Construction, and Improvements, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $937M gross outlays$7.04B6.1%
- Immigration Examination Fees, Immigration Services, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $5.81B gross outlays$6.16B5.3%
- Operations and Support, United States Secret Service, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $3.36B gross outlays$3.48B3.0%
- Salaries and Expenses, Drug Enforcement Administration, JusticeFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Justice · $2.66B gross outlays$2.76B2.4%
- Salaries and Expenses, United States Attorneys, JusticeFederal litigative and judicial activities · Department of Justice · $2.72B gross outlays$2.73B2.4%
- Working Capital Fund, JusticeFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Justice · $2.16B gross outlays$2.23B1.9%
- Federal Prisoner Detention, United States Marshals Service, JusticeFederal litigative and judicial activities · Department of Justice · $2.17B gross outlays$2.20B1.9%
- Victims Compensation Fund, General Legal Activities, JusticeCriminal justice assistance · Department of Justice · $2.03B gross outlays$2.04B1.8%
- Operations and Support, Management Directorate, Departmental Management, Intelligence, Situational Awareness, and Oversight, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $1.97B gross outlays$2.03B1.8%
- Crime Victims Fund, JusticeCriminal justice assistance · Department of Justice · $1.95B gross outlays$1.84B1.6%
- Salaries and Expenses, United States Marshals Service, JusticeFederal litigative and judicial activities · Department of Justice · $1.81B gross outlays$1.80B1.6%
- United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, General Legal Activities, JusticeCriminal justice assistance · Department of Justice · $1.77B gross outlays$1.77B1.5%
- Salaries and Expenses, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, JusticeFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Justice · $1.77B gross outlays$1.77B1.5%
- Assets Forfeiture Fund, JusticeFederal litigative and judicial activities · Department of Justice · $1.73B gross outlays$1.74B1.5%
- Salaries and Expenses, General Legal Activities, JusticeFederal litigative and judicial activities · Department of Justice · $1.51B gross outlays$1.56B1.3%
Show the other 91 accounts
- State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, JusticeCriminal justice assistance · Department of Justice · $2.34B gross outlays$1.03B0.9%
- Customs and Border Protection, Customs User Fees Account, USCS, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $914M gross outlays$970M0.8%
- Treasury Forfeiture Fund, TreasuryFederal law enforcement activities · Department of the Treasury · $1.10B gross outlays$922M0.8%
- Executive Office for Immigration Review, General Administration, JusticeFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Justice · $905M gross outlays$863M0.7%
- Operations and Support, Office of the Secretary and Executive Management, Departmental Management, Intelligence, Situational Awareness, and Oversight, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $610M gross outlays$825M0.7%
- Customs and Border Protection, Immigration User Fees, Border and Transportation Security, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $810M gross outlays$810M0.7%
- Diversion Control Fee Account, JusticeFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Justice · $622M gross outlays$670M0.6%
- Court Security, Court of Appeals, District Courts, and Other Judicial Services, The JudiciaryFederal litigative and judicial activities$662M0.6%
- Payment to the Legal Services Corporation, Legal Services CorporationFederal litigative and judicial activities · Department of the Treasury · $563M gross outlays$563M0.5%
- Interagency Crime and Drug Enforcement, Interagency Law Enforcement, JusticeFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Justice · $532M gross outlays$557M0.5%
- Operations and Support, Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $505M gross outlays$537M0.5%
- Violence Against Women Prevention and Prosecution Programs, Office of Justice Programs, JusticeCriminal justice assistance · Department of Justice · $600M gross outlays$518M0.4%
- Salaries and Expenses, Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionFederal law enforcement activities · Equal Employment Opportunity Commission · $446M gross outlays$455M0.4%
- Community Oriented Policing Services, Office of Justice Programs, JusticeCriminal justice assistance · Department of Justice · $607M gross outlays$447M0.4%
- Commissary Funds, Federal Prisons, JusticeFederal correctional activities · Department of Justice · $428M gross outlays$446M0.4%
- Research, Evaluation, and Statistics, Office of Justice Programs, JusticeCriminal justice assistance · Department of Justice · $489M gross outlays$428M0.4%
- Operations and Support, Science and Technology Directorate, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $426M gross outlays$403M0.3%
- Fees and Expenses of Witnesses, JusticeFederal litigative and judicial activities · Department of Justice · $312M gross outlays$394M0.3%
- Operations and Support, Intelligence, Analysis, and Operations Coordination, Departmental Management, Intelligence, Situational Awareness, and Oversight, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $348M gross outlays$348M0.3%
- High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program, Funds Appropriated to the PresidentCriminal justice assistance · Executive Office of the President · $281M gross outlays$291M0.3%
- Construction, Federal Bureau of Investigation, JusticeFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Justice · $411M gross outlays$290M0.3%
- Contribution for Annuity Benefits, United States Secret Service, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $287M gross outlays$285M0.2%
- Salaries and Expenses, Federal Payment to the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of ColumbiaFederal litigative and judicial activities · Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency · $276M gross outlays$282M0.2%
- Research and Development, Science and Technology Directorate, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $397M gross outlays$272M0.2%
- Operations and Support, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $272M gross outlays$270M0.2%
- United States Trustee System Fund, JusticeFederal litigative and judicial activities · Department of Justice · $250M gross outlays$258M0.2%
- Salaries and Expenses, Antitrust Division, JusticeFederal litigative and judicial activities · Department of Justice · $260M gross outlays$257M0.2%
- Operations and Support, Office of the Inspector General, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $251M gross outlays$253M0.2%
- Public Safety Officers Benefits, Office of Justice Programs, JusticeCriminal justice assistance · Department of Justice · $198M gross outlays$243M0.2%
- International Registered Traveler Program Fund, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $262M gross outlays$226M0.2%
- Salaries and Expenses, Financial Crimes Enforcement NetworkFederal law enforcement activities · Department of the Treasury · $200M gross outlays$189M0.2%
- Salaries and Expenses, General Administration, JusticeFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Justice · $192M gross outlays$188M0.2%
- Office of Inspector General, General Administration, JusticeFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Justice · $170M gross outlays$170M0.1%
- Student and Exchange Visitor Program, Border and Transportation Security, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $169M gross outlays$158M0.1%
- Salaries and Expenses, National Security Division, JusticeFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Justice · $136M gross outlays$149M0.1%
- Operations and Support, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $147M gross outlays$144M0.1%
- Procurement, Construction, and Improvements, United States Secret Service, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $96M gross outlays$140M0.1%
- Buildings and Facilities, Federal Prison System, JusticeFederal correctional activities · Department of Justice · $434M gross outlays$138M0.1%
- Procurement, Construction, and Improvements, Management Directorate, Departmental Management, Intelligence, Situational Awareness, and Oversight, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $214M gross outlays$136M0.1%
- Office for Civil Rights, Departmental Management, EducationFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Education · $135M gross outlays$132M0.1%
- State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, JusticeCriminal justice assistance · Department of Justice · $383M gross outlays$126M0.1%
- Procurement, Construction, and Improvements, Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $24M gross outlays$118M0.1%
- Immigration User Fee Account, BICE, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $161M gross outlays$99M0.1%
- Justice Information Sharing Technology, General Administration, JusticeFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Justice · $96M gross outlays$85M0.1%
- Fair Housing Activities, Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Housing and Urban DevelopmentFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Housing and Urban Development · $78M gross outlays$83M0.1%
- Customs and Border Protection, Land Border Inspection Fees, Border and Transportation Security, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $69M gross outlays$69M0.1%
- Office of the Inspector General, Departmental Management, EducationFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Education · $63M gross outlays$66M0.1%
- Office for Civil Rights, Departmental Management, Health and Human ServicesFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Health and Human Services · $57M gross outlays$56M<0.1%
- H-1B and L Fraud Prevention and Detection Account, Citizenship and Immigration Services, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $53M gross outlays$55M<0.1%
- Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System Fund, United States Marshals Service, JusticeFederal litigative and judicial activities · Department of Justice · $53M gross outlays$54M<0.1%
- Enhanced Inspectional Services, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $50M gross outlays$50M<0.1%
- Breach Bond/Detention Fund, Border and Transportation Security, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $30M gross outlays$45M<0.1%
- Electronic System for Travel Authorization, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $39M gross outlays$42M<0.1%
- Customs and Border Protection Services at User Fee Facilities, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $39M gross outlays$40M<0.1%
- Procurement, Construction, and Improvements, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $57M gross outlays$36M<0.1%
- Department-Wide Technology Investments, Departmental Management, Intelligence, Situational Awareness, and Oversight, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $14M gross outlays$33M<0.1%
- Procurement, Construction, and Improvements, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $52M gross outlays$32M<0.1%
- Federal Payment to the District of Columbia Judicial Survivors and Annuity Fund, TreasuryFederal litigative and judicial activities · Department of the Treasury · $25M gross outlays$25M<0.1%
- Research and Development, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $49M gross outlays$24M<0.1%
- Procurement, Construction, and Improvements, Science and Technology Directorate, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $30M gross outlays$24M<0.1%
- Immigration Services, H-1 B Funded, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $20M gross outlays$20M<0.1%
- Salaries and Expenses, Community Relations Service, JusticeFederal litigative and judicial activities · Department of Justice · $20M gross outlays$17M<0.1%
- DHS Border Support, Departmental Management, Intelligence, Situational Awareness, and Oversight, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $15M gross outlays$15M<0.1%
- Salaries and Expenses, Commission on Civil RightsFederal law enforcement activities · Commission on Civil Rights · $15M gross outlays$14M<0.1%
- Salaries and Expenses, United States Parole Commission, JusticeFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Justice · $11M gross outlays$11M<0.1%
- Federal Assistance, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $8.4M gross outlays$10.0M<0.1%
- Salaries and Expenses, Access BoardFederal law enforcement activities · Access Board · $9.1M gross outlays$10.0M<0.1%
- Procurement, Construction, and Improvements, Office of the Secretary and Executive Management, Departmental Management, Intelligence, Situational Awareness, and Oversight, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $12M gross outlays$9.0M<0.1%
- Independent Counsel, JusticeFederal litigative and judicial activities · Department of Justice · $7.2M gross outlays$7.8M<0.1%
- Construction, United States Marshals Service, JusticeFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Justice · $15M gross outlays$7.4M<0.1%
- Research and Development, United States Secret Service, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $3.3M gross outlays$6.3M<0.1%
- 9-11 Response and Biometric Exit Account, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $16M gross outlays$5.0M<0.1%
- EEOC Education, Technical Assistance and Training Revolving Fund, Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionFederal law enforcement activities · Equal Employment Opportunity Commission · $5.4M gross outlays$4.5M<0.1%
- Salaries and Expenses, Administrative Conference of the United StatesFederal law enforcement activities · Administrative Conference of the U.S. · $3.6M gross outlays$3.5M<0.1%
- Harbor Maintenance Fee Collection, USCS, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $3.3M gross outlays$3.3M<0.1%
- Federal Payment to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, TreasuryCriminal justice assistance · Department of the Treasury · $3.7M gross outlays$2.5M<0.1%
- Refunds, Transfers and Expenses, Abandoned and Seized Goods, USCS, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $1.2M gross outlays$2.2M<0.1%
- Nonrecurring Expenses Fund, Management Directorate, Departmental Management, Intelligence, Situational Awareness, and Oversight, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $18M gross outlays$2.1M<0.1%
- Office of the Under Secretary for Management, Departmental Management and Operations, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $11M gross outlays$2.0M<0.1%
- APEC Business Travel Card Account, Customs and Border Protection, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $1.4M gross outlays$1.8M<0.1%
- Automation Modernization, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $0 gross outlays$1.3M<0.1%
- EB-5 Integrity Fund, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $990k gross outlays$1.3M<0.1%
- Immigration Enforcement Account, Border and Transportation Security, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $943k gross outlays$943k<0.1%
- Office of Biometric Identity Management, National Protection and Programs Directorate, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $609k gross outlays$636k<0.1%
- Federal Payment for Judicial Commissions, TreasuryCriminal justice assistance · Department of the Treasury · $960k gross outlays$630k<0.1%
- Detention and Removal Operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $599k gross outlays$600k<0.1%
- Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund, Office of Justice Programs, JusticeCriminal justice assistance · Department of Justice · $6.5M gross outlays$390k<0.1%
- Border Security Fencing, Infrastructure, and Technology, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $3.5M gross outlays$345k<0.1%
- Air and Marine Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $415k gross outlays$42k<0.1%
- Office of the Chief Information Officer, Departmental Management, Intelligence, Situational Awareness, and Oversight, Homeland SecurityFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Homeland Security · $5k gross outlays$1k<0.1%
- Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Program Office Salaries and Expenses, Housing and Urban DevelopmentFederal law enforcement activities · Department of Housing and Urban Development · $0 gross outlays$525<0.1%
Net outlays are the Monthly Treasury Statement’s, table 9. The subfunctions and agencies are the gross outlays agencies reported to USAspending.gov for fiscal year 2025; the accounts are its spending explorer’s obligations. In 2025 dollars restates each year with the CPI-U annual average of the calendar year the fiscal year ends in.