House Republicans are poised to vote Tuesday on a nearly $70 billion immigration enforcement package that would fund two key Homeland Security agencies through the next three years and the remainder of President Donald Trump's term. The legislation, which focuses solely on immigration enforcement after controversial provisions were removed, provides $38 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), $26 billion for the Border Patrol, and $5 billion for unforeseen costs, fueling Trump's deportation agenda.
Speaker Mike Johnson needs near-perfect attendance and unity among his members to pass the bill, which has been a defining issue for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections. The package comes after a months-long standoff in Congress, during which Democrats refused to fund the Department of Homeland Security following enforcement actions in Minneapolis, leading to the longest shutdown in the agency's history.
Democrats objected to giving the agencies more money without significant operational changes, such as requiring agents to display ID badges and obtain judicial warrants before entering private property. However, the funding will come with virtually no strings attached.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries vowed opposition, stating that taxpayer dollars should not be used as a blank check for ICE. The Senate passed the bill last week on a near-party-line vote of 52-47, with only Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska opposing it.
If approved by the House, the package will go to President Trump for his signature, ensuring uninterrupted funding for his immigration enforcement and deportation agenda through 2029. The money comes at a pivotal time for the Department of Homeland Security, now under new leadership after Trump replaced Kristi Noem with Secretary Markwayne Mullin in March.
The administration is under pressure from anti-immigration advocates to deliver on Trump's promise of the largest deportation operation in American history, though it has not yet met its goal of 1 million deportations per year. Border czar Tom Homan has hinted at future enforcement actions in New York City.
Meanwhile, the administration is making it harder for legal immigrants to remain in the U.S. by ending Temporary Protected Status, changing green card processes, and causing delays for Dreamers renewing their status.
On the House side, Johnson has little margin for error, as Republicans can afford to lose only a couple of votes if all members are present. GOP leadership sent lawmakers home last week to avoid any hiccups before the vote.
Democrats have portrayed DHS as a rogue agency that has used resources to buy private jets, warehouse immigrants in deplorable conditions, and attack U.S. citizens.
Republicans counter that they are fulfilling their duty to safeguard the nation and support law enforcement.