WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are working to secure nearly $70 billion for immigration enforcement, a move intended to finance two Homeland Security agencies for the next three years as well as support President Donald Trump’s agenda during his term. The vote is set for Tuesday.
House Speaker Mike Johnson will require near-universal attendance and a unified coalition from his party to finalize this bill, which has faced delays due to attempts to allocate an additional $1 billion for heightened security at the White House, including the newly opened ballroom. Moreover, discussions about establishing a $1.8 billion fund to aid Trump’s allies who claim unfair investigations and prosecutions have been abandoned due to political backlash.
At this stage, the legislation is solely focused on immigration enforcement, which Republicans have marked as a key differentiator between the parties as they gear up for the midterm elections. The bill proposes $38 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), $26 billion for border security, and an additional $5 billion for unexpected expenses, all of which are intended to accelerate deportation initiatives.
Increased Funding for Deportation Initiatives
This funding builds on the approximately $140 billion allocated by the Republican-controlled Congress to ICE and Customs and Border Protection last year as part of Trump’s tax and spending cuts package.
Democrats have expressed strong opposition to increasing ICE’s budget without making significant operational changes, particularly in light of recent incidents like the deaths of Alex Preti and Renee Good in Minneapolis. They have called for modifications such as requiring agents to display ID badges during raids and obtaining judicial warrants to enter private properties. However, the current funding proposal is largely unconditional.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has firmly stated that his party will fight against the bill, emphasizing, “We believe taxpayer dollars should be used to make life more affordable for Americans, not to provide ICE with $70 billion in blank checks for actions against law-abiding immigrant communities.”
Protracted Standoff Over Homeland Security Funding
This funding proposal follows a period of intense disputes in Congress, particularly after Democrats declined to defund the Department of Homeland Security against a backdrop of immigration enforcement actions in various cities, leading to the longest shutdown of the agency’s history.
Efforts to negotiate changes in ICE’s operations in line with Democratic interests have collapsed, prompting Republicans to undertake a complex maneuver to pass immigration funding without Democratic support. If approved, the legislation would reach President Trump’s desk, ensuring a consistent flow of funding for immigration enforcement through 2029.
Last week, the Senate wrapped up its work on the bill during an extended session that concluded early Friday morning, culminating in a 52-47 vote, largely along party lines. The only Republican dissent came from Alaska’s Senator Lisa Murkowski.
Timing Critical for Immigration Policies
The proposed funding arrives at a pivotal moment for the Department of Homeland Security, which has seen leadership changes after President Trump appointed Markwayne Mullin as secretary in March, succeeding Kristi Noem. Although Mullin has vowed not to overreach, the administration is facing pressure from anti-immigration advocates to adhere to Trump’s promise of enacting the largest deportation effort in U.S. history.
While the administration has yet to meet its goal of deporting 1 million individuals annually, Trump’s designated border czar, Tom Homan, has hinted at an aggressive immigration crackdown in New York City, a significant Democratic stronghold.
Simultaneously, the administration is implementing measures to complicate legal immigrants’ ability to stay in the U.S., aiming to eliminate Temporary Protected Status, altering green card acquisition processes, and causing delays in the renewals for some young immigrants known as Dreamers.
Narrow Margin for Republicans
For Speaker Johnson, the vote presents little room for error. If all members participate, Republicans can afford to lose only a handful of votes. Their leaders opted to delay discussions on the bill, allowing lawmakers to return home rather than considering the measure early on Friday.
The bill is streamlined, lacking the extensive detail usually found in such funding legislation, which often includes numerous directives and stipulations.
Ahead of the vote, Democrats have criticized the Department of Homeland Security as an entity that misuses taxpayer money, with claims of rampant corruption and inhumane treatment of immigrants. “Providing these agencies with another $70 billion, especially when they still have $100 billion in unspent funds from last year, is a recipe for escalating corruption,” stated Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee.
Republicans maintain their commitment to support personnel tasked with safeguarding the nation and upholding the law. “What matters is public safety. What matters is keeping Americans safe,” asserted Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.) in defense of the funding initiative.
