The US Senate on Friday approved $70 billion to fund Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, delivering a significant victory on one of his signature campaign promises.The legislation funds Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol through the remainder of Trump’s term.
It now heads to the House of Representatives, where Republican leaders aim to pass it early next week before sending it to the president’s desk.The bill was pushed through via the “budget reconciliation” process — a fast-track mechanism that allowed Republicans to bypass Democratic opposition without needing a bipartisan majority.
Democrats had previously blocked similar funding during a record partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, demanding restrictions on ICE raid tactics and officer anonymity. Republicans rejected those conditions outright.
Passage came after a lengthy “vote-a-rama” — an amendment marathon that exposed cracks within Republican ranks, drawing renewed attention to a proposed fund for Trump allies who claim government targeting and $1 billion earmarked for a White House ballroom, both of which have unsettled some members of the party ahead of midterm elections.
