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The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a $70 billion immigration enforcement bill that now heads to President Donald Trump for approval. The bill, approved on Tuesday (June 9), allocates $38 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and $26 billion for Border Patrol, funding these agencies through the end of Trump's term.
The legislation follows a prolonged government shutdown and weeks of delays before it cleared the Senate last week. The Senate passed the bill with a 52-47 vote, with no Democratic support and one Republican, Senator Lisa Murkowski, voting against it. The bill's passage was contentious, as it included a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund, which some Republicans and Democrats opposed. Despite opposition, the bill moved forward without amendments to eliminate the fund.
Senate Republican Leader John Thune stated that the fund was a "settled issue," citing Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's testimony that the Department of Justice would not pursue it. However, President Trump emphasized the fund's importance, creating further debate among lawmakers.
The bill's funding supports Trump's controversial migrant deportation crackdown over the next three years. According to CNBC, the funding will aid ICE and Border Patrol in carrying out the administration's immigration policies.
The House's decision to pass the bill comes after a lengthy standoff over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Earlier this year, the government faced a record shutdown due to disagreements over immigration enforcement funding. The shutdown ended when President Trump signed a bipartisan bill to fund DHS, excluding immigration operations.
As reported by Federal News Network, the shutdown caused significant hardship for DHS employees, many of whom faced potential furloughs and pay lapses.
The bill's passage in the House marks a significant step in securing funding for immigration enforcement, but it also highlights ongoing political tensions. Democrats have criticized the lack of policy changes in the bill, particularly following the fatal shootings of protesters by federal agents in Minneapolis.
Despite these challenges, the bill is expected to be signed into law by President Trump, providing much-needed funding for ICE and Border Patrol. The legislation's approval underscores the administration's commitment to its immigration agenda, even amid controversy and opposition.