Should Congress increase anti-immigration efforts in its 2024 upcoming $91.5 billion budget?
H.R. 4367 provides funding to the Department of Homeland Security through September 2024. The bill appropriates approximately 91.5 billion dollars, a slight increase from 2023. The bill seeks to decrease immigration into the United States by increasing patrols along the US-Mexico border, ordering further construction of a border wall, and increasing custody and deportation efforts against those who entered the country illegally. In addition, the bill includes several spending cuts, including defunding all diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within DHS and rejecting funding for emergency shelters and processing centers. Sponsor: Rep. David Joyce (Republican, Ohio, District 14)
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Opponents say
• "The Administration strongly opposes House passage of H.R. 4367… These bills include billions in additional rescissions from the IRA and other vital legislation that would result in unacceptable harm to clean energy and energy efficiency initiatives that lower energy costs and critical investments in rural (sic) America. The draft bills also include numerous new, partisan policy provisions with devastating consequences including harming access to reproductive healthcare, threatening the health and safety of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) Americans, endangering marriage equality, hindering critical climate change initiatives, and preventing the Administration from promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion… If the President were presented with H.R. 4367, he would veto it." Source: Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget, on behalf of President Joe Biden
• "When it comes to the border, the bill relies on outdated strategies that, as a member who lives on the border, I know do not work. For example, the bill would require $2.1 billion to be rescinded and reappropriated for wall construction, a 14th century solution to a 21st century challenge. The bill strips funding for the shelter and services program, which supports border communities like mine and nonprofit organizations dealing with increased migration. It eliminates necessary border security and management funding, such as processing capacity and funding for migrant care, personnel overtime, transportation, and other costs. The bill also reduces funding for oversight of our immigration detention facilities, and it cuts funding for the Family Reunification Task Force. Further, it provides no funding to USCIS to help reduce application backlogs and help Lawful Permanent Residents become citizens." Source: Rep. Henry Cuellar (Democrat, Texas, District 28), ranking member of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee
• "We urge you to oppose riders that would undermine due process and the human rights of immigrants. These include riders that would a) block funds for implementing the Biden administration’s ‘Guidelines for the Enforcement of Civil Immigration Law,’ which the U.S. Supreme Court already upheld; b) prohibit any funds being used or transferred to any other federal agency, board, or commission to dismantle existing parts of the current border wall; c) block funds being used for the CBP One application or any successor system intended to handle asylum claims; and d) require DHS to expand the detention of immigrants or the use of mandatory ankle monitoring." Source: The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
Proponents say
• "I want to start by saying the work we did last week shows how we are able to reduce spending where we can and prioritize funding for our core responsibilities. That includes our national defense, veterans, and the bill before us: homeland security. I want to thank Chairman Joyce for his hard work on this bill. It provides what is needed to protect our homeland and address the ongoing crisis at our border… This is a very good bill, and I hope all members will join me in supporting it." Source: Rep. Kay Granger (Republican, Texas, District 12), chair of the House Appropriations Committee
• "Over the last two and a half years, the Biden Administration has turned our southern border into pure chaos. Their policies and funding priorities have clearly not worked. As Chairman of this Subcommittee, my priority is to ensure that the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security, who work tirelessly on our behalf, have the resources and tools they need to protect this great nation. Unlike recent Homeland Security appropriations bills, and the President’s FY24 request to Congress, this bill returns to a tried-and-true border security approach by investing in methods to both secure the border and deter those who have no legitimate basis for entry." Source: Rep. David Joyce (Republican, Ohio, District 14), chair of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee and sponsor of the bill
• "Today, we are presenting a clear contrast: Democrats are proposing open borders, lower wages, and, frankly, lawless chaos. We are proposing an immigration plan that puts the jobs, wages, and safety of American workers first. Our proposal is pro-American, pro-immigrant, and pro-worker. It’s just common sense. It will help all of our people, including millions of devoted immigrants, to achieve the American Dream… Our plan achieves two critical goals. First, it stops illegal immigration and fully secures the border. And, second, it establishes a new legal immigration system that protects American wages, promotes American values, and attracts the best and brightest from all around the world." Source: Donald Trump, former US President
- What the 2022 Midterms Taught Us About Immigration Reform (ACLU)
- A Judge Orders Texas to Move a Floating Barrier that’s Used to Deter Migrants Between US and Mexico (Associated Press)
- Texas Sends Another Wave of Migrants to New York City Despite ‘Capacity’ Claims (The Hill)
- Uncertain and Afraid: Florida’s Immigrants Grapple with a Disrupted Reality Under New Law (Associated Press)
- Rep. David Joyce’s Open Secrets Page
