Government Funding Bill Slashes Immigration Aid, Boosts Deportation Budgets
With nearly $10 billion for ICE and Border Patrol, a new funding bill tightens immigration rules while cutting resources for migrant services.
WASHINGTON — To avoid a government shutdown on Friday, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives is looking to pass a bill Tuesday afternoon that extracts a proverbial pound of flesh from migrants. The latest government funding bill sets the stage for a major shift in U.S. immigration policy.
With nearly $10 billion allocated to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and billions more for border security, the bill cements a tough enforcement-first approach. Meanwhile, funding for immigration services, including visa processing and migrant assistance programs, is being slashed. The legislation, set to extend funding through September 30, 2025, is expected to have wide-reaching consequences for immigrants across the country.
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Bill Pours Billions Into Immigration Enforcement
The bill prioritizes border security and deportations over immigrant services. Key allocations include:
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): A $9.99 billion budget ensures continued funding for deportation operations, detention centers, and immigration investigations. This reflects the administration’s focus on aggressive enforcement policies.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP): While precise figures aren’t outlined, CBP funding will expand Border Patrol staffing, surveillance technology, and border wall maintenance.
Coast Guard: A $10.4 billion allocation will support maritime border enforcement, intercepting migrants attempting to reach the U.S. by sea.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA): With $10.6 billion earmarked for operations, TSA will continue screening international travelers, a process that increasingly affects migrants and asylum seekers.
Total Cuts to Immigration-Related Funding
The bill cuts approximately $138.7 million from immigration-related services, enforcement training, and migrant assistance programs. Below is a breakdown of the major reductions:
Direct Immigration-Related Cuts
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): $2,514,000 rescinded from operations and support, leading to delays in visa, asylum, and citizenship application processing.
Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers: $685,000 cut, affecting the training of ICE, Border Patrol, and other immigration enforcement officers.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): $1,723,000 rescinded, potentially reducing shelter and emergency services for migrants.
Larger Budget Rescissions Affecting Immigration
DHS Nonrecurring Expenses Fund: $133,000,000 rescinded, reducing the ability to fund long-term immigration and border-related infrastructure projects.
Management Directorate (DHS Administration): $1,497,000 cut, possibly affecting immigration-related administrative support.
Office of Intelligence, Analysis, and Situational Awareness: $1,309,000 rescinded, impacting intelligence operations tied to immigration enforcement
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What This Means for Immigrants
The bill underscores a harsh shift in immigration priorities, with a clear focus on detention and deportation over legal pathways and humanitarian aid. For immigrant communities, this could mean:
More deportations as ICE receives full funding to maintain detention centers and expand removal operations.
Longer wait times for visa, asylum, and citizenship applications due to cuts in processing resources.
Fewer resources for migrant shelters and humanitarian aid, making it harder for asylum seekers to find housing and legal assistance.
Legislative Timeline & Next Steps
The House Appropriations Committee introduced the bill on Saturday, with a floor vote expected this afternoon (Monday, March 11). If passed, it will move to the Senate for approval. President Trump has already signaled strong support, calling the bill a "win for national security." But it’s really an enormous loss for immigrants and their allies already reeling from draconian policy changes and fear tactics deployed by the federal government.
Immigration advocates warn the legislation could lead to increased hardships for migrants and longer processing backlogs. As Congress moves forward, immigrant communities and advocacy groups are bracing for the impact of a policy shift that prioritizes enforcement at the expense of those seeking a future in the U.S.
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