The U.S. House of Representatives passed a $70 billion bill on Tuesday to fund immigration enforcement operations for the next three years.
The legislation frontloads routine annual funding, ensuring a virtually uninterrupted flow of money as the Trump administration pursues its goal of deporting approximately 1 million people per year. The bill, which now moves to the Senate, represents a significant shift in how immigration enforcement is financed, bypassing the typical annual appropriations process to provide long-term stability for agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Supporters argue that the measure is necessary to maintain operational tempo and avoid government shutdowns that could disrupt deportation efforts. Critics, however, contend that the bill locks in funding for a controversial policy without sufficient oversight and could lead to human rights abuses.
The vote largely fell along party lines, with Republicans backing the measure and Democrats opposing it. The bill includes funding for additional detention beds, increased border patrol personnel, and expanded technology for surveillance and tracking.
If enacted, it would mark one of the largest single appropriations for immigration enforcement in U.S. history.
The Senate is expected to take up the legislation in the coming weeks, though its fate remains uncertain given the narrow partisan divide in the chamber.