The US House of Representatives narrowly approved, on Tuesday (9), a bill that allocates almost US$70 billion to immigration enforcement and sent it to President Donald Trump for sanction, reinforcing the government’s deportation agenda for the remainder of his term.
Republicans used their majority to approve the text, which funds two Department of Homeland Security agencies for three years. The proposal passed 214 votes to 212, despite opposition from Democrats. Trump is expected to sanction it this Wednesday.
According to the White House, the project provides US$38 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), US$26 billion for the Border Patrol and another US$5 billion to cover unforeseen costs. The measure advances routine annual funding, ensuring a virtually uninterrupted flow of resources as the Trump administration seeks to deport about 1 million people a year.
House Speaker Mike Johnson needed to keep his bench united and with a practically full quorum to conclude weeks of negotiations. The process was delayed by a forecast of more than US$1 billion for White House security – including Trump’s new ballroom – and by a US$1.8 billion fund to compensate allies of the president who allege they were unfairly investigated and prosecuted. These proposals, considered politically toxic, were removed from the text.
Now, the project focuses exclusively on immigration enforcement, an issue that Republicans treat as a dividing line between the two main parties and which they hope will help them win this year’s midterm elections. Source: Associated Press.
