Trump’s deportation agenda is about to get a $70B infusion from Congress

Congress is poised to provide a nearly $70 billion funding package to the Department of Homeland Security, which will significantly bolster President Trump's mass deportation agenda. The bill, which passed the Senate and now moves to the House, allocates substantial funds to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol, with minimal legislative restrictions. This infusion of cash, in addition to previously approved funds, is intended to support the administration's immigration enforcement operations through 2029. Critics have labeled the bill as a "rotten bill" and an "ATM for ICE," while supporters see it as essential for national security. The funding comes at a critical time for the administration as it faces midterm elections and continues to implement policies aimed at increasing deportations.

The US Senate passed a bill providing $70 billion in additional funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), a key initiative sought by President Trump. The bill, which passed after a lengthy "vote-a-rama" session, will fund these agencies throughout Trump's term. Democrats had delayed the bill due to opposition to mass deportation efforts and sought to bar a controversial "anti-weaponisation" fund from the Department of Justice, but these amendments failed. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives, where Republican leaders expect it to pass before heading to President Trump's desk. The funding comes after months of Democratic opposition and a previous partial government shutdown.

Senate Republicans have dropped a $1 billion proposal for security improvements at Donald Trump's White House ballroom. This decision was made because the funding for the ballroom was jeopardizing a larger $70 billion measure for immigration enforcement agencies. The ballroom security funding had been included in legislation dubbed the Secure America Act, but its removal was confirmed by the acting attorney general. Democrats had opposed the ballroom funding, and the Senate parliamentarian ruled it did not comply with budget reconciliation rules. The revised bill, which advanced on a party-line vote, now focuses solely on immigration enforcement funding.

The US House of Representatives has voted to end a 76-day partial government shutdown by approving a Senate-passed bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This action restores funding to much of DHS, concluding the longest shutdown in its history. The measure, supported by President Trump, reopens the agency but does not include new funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or US Border Patrol. Democrats had sought changes to immigration enforcement operations, and Republicans are expected to seek separate funding for those specific agencies. The bipartisan package now heads to President Trump for final approval.