Key facts
- US Senate approved $70 billion for immigration enforcement agencies.
- The bill passed the Senate with a 52-47 vote.
- Funding is for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol.
- The legislation is intended to fund agencies through the end of Trump's term.
- The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
The U.S. Senate passed a $70 billion bill to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol through the end of President Donald Trump's term. The legislation, approved with a 52-47 vote, faced delays due to debates surrounding a $1.776 billion settlement fund intended for individuals claiming political persecution. Republicans largely supported the funding, while Democrats sought to ban the settlement fund, which acting Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated would not proceed. Several amendments related to the fund were debated and ultimately defeated. Senator Bill Cassidy proposed redirecting the fund to law enforcement injured on January 6, 2021, while Senator Thom Tillis suggested moving the money to a DOJ anti-fraud fund. The bill now proceeds to the House of Representatives. The package to fund agencies including ICE until the end of Trump's term had face Democratic opposition over immigration agents killing two US citizens.