WASHINGTON — The Trump administration advanced a major immigration enforcement funding measure on Wednesday after Congress cleared a roughly $70 billion reconciliation bill to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection operations through the end of President Donald Trump’s term.
The House of Representatives passed the legislation, known as the Secure America Act, by a narrow 214-212 vote on Tuesday, sending it to the president, who signed it into law on Wednesday, according to congressional records and White House announcements.
The bill provides approximately $38 billion to $38.5 billion for ICE, including funds for hiring, training, and enforcement activities such as detention and deportations, and about $26 billion for Border Patrol operations, along with additional funding for the Department of Homeland Security, congressional sources and administration officials said.
Republicans used the budget reconciliation process, which allows passage with a simple majority and bypasses the Senate filibuster, after negotiations with Democrats collapsed over broader immigration policy reforms. The measure marks the second major infusion of funding for the agencies in under a year, following last year’s larger package.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the approach was necessary after talks failed to produce agreement. “You would never get to ‘yes,’ and so we walked away and did reconciliation,” Mullin stated.
Democrats opposed the bill, arguing it provides a blank check for enforcement without sufficient oversight or reforms, such as requirements for body cameras or other accountability measures. They warned that the legislation cedes congressional oversight on spending.
The funding is structured as lump-sum appropriations available through fiscal year 2029, giving the agencies greater flexibility than typical annual appropriations. It supports personnel, technology, transportation, detention, and related enforcement activities.
The vote ended a months-long partisan standoff over Department of Homeland Security funding that had extended into 2026. One independent lawmaker who caucuses with Republicans voted against the measure in the House.
The administration has prioritized expanded immigration enforcement, including higher deportation targets. Details on specific implementation plans remain subject to agency execution under the new funding.
The legislation does not include certain other priorities that were discussed earlier in negotiations, such as additional provisions on voter identification or unrelated security projects.
As of Wednesday, the bill was in effect following the president’s signature. Congressional leaders from both parties indicated further budget measures could be considered later this year.
