Increase funding by 70 billion dollars for DHS, CBP, and ICE immigration-related activities for the next three years?

This bill Became Law

Bill Summary

S. 2 provides added funding to various government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for immigration-related activities and personnel through the 2029 fiscal year. The bill prohibits the use of the funds for border protection surveillance towers that cannot apply artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision, or other algorithms to detect, identify, classify, and track items of interest in real time without active human control. The bill includes funding for ICE operations to arrest undocumented immigrants with criminal charges and/or convictions from jurisdictions that do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement activities, even if they were previously released. The bill also prohibits using the funds to release undocumented immigrants unless required by law. Sponsor: Sen. Lindsey Graham (Republican, South Carolina)
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Opponents say

• "After tonight’s vote, it’s clear to Americans that Republicans refused to outlaw Donald Trump’s $2 billion slush fund. Now the whole country can see the truth: Republicans fought like hell to protect Donald Trump and his slush fund but didn’t lift a finger to help working Americans lower their costs. Senate Republicans tried to bury their radical agenda in the dead of night, but Democrats forced them to answer for it — amendment after amendment, vote after vote. Republicans voted against building 7 million new affordable homes, against lowering gas prices, against cracking down on health insurance companies that deny Americans coverage, against making childcare more affordable, and so much more. Again and again, Republicans chose Trump instead. While families are struggling to get ahead, Senate Republicans just voted to help Trump bleed them dry." Source: Sen. Chuck Schumer (Democrat, New York)

• "This is something that we’re all familiar with—DACA recipients. They came to the United States as infants, toddlers, and children. To qualify for DACA, they have to register every two years and pay a $600 fee [and] go through a complete criminal background check before they can be approved. If they violate the terms of the background check, they are disqualified from DACA. What they are looking for is a job—to legally work in the United States and not to be deported… They get no special benefits for being on DACA—no special government benefits. This language basically says the DACA recipients will be protected from arrest, detention, and removal." Source: Sen. Dick Durbin (Democrat, Illinois)

• "Once again, President Trump’s allies in Congress are bypassing normal Congressional procedures to strong-arm billions more in taxpayer dollars to fuel ICE and Border Patrol’s assault on our communities. Instead of passing commonsense reforms to rein in ICE abuses or funding programs that would actually help American families, the Senate is choosing to add $70 billion to ICE and Border Patrol’s already bloated budget. Make no mistake: a vote in favor of more ICE and Border Patrol funding is a vote to prioritize President Trump’s cruel mass deportation agenda. We now call on our House Representatives to hold the line and say no to any more funding for these abusive agencies that have killed and attacked our neighbors, demanded people show their papers based on the color of their skin, and tear thousands of families apart. The safety of our communities and our freedom depend on it." Source: American Civil Liberties Union

Proponents say

• "For 76 days, Democrats kept the Department of Homeland Security in limbo. Then they made it crystal clear they’d rather defund law enforcement than defend law enforcement. And under President Trump, America has the most secure border we’ve ever had, and Republicans refuse to go backward or sacrifice the safety of our law enforcement personnel to Democrats’ open-border fantasies. The Secure America Act delivers the immigration security and rule of law that we all promised when we ran and that the American people expect." Source: Sen. Kevin Cramer (Republican, North Dakota)

• "Iowans want to keep their families safe and put a stop to the drugs that cartels have flooded into rural communities. The Secure America Act helps achieve that end. For months, Democrats have blocked funding for immigration enforcement agencies at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It’s a sad commentary that my Democrat colleagues are in favor of defunding federal law enforcement officers who risk their lives for our country. Americans and our men and women in uniform deserve better. I voted to back the blue and secure a safer today and tomorrow for America." Source: Sen. Chuck Grassley (Republican, Iowa)

• "When illegal immigrant criminals roam freely, our communities are less safe. The Biden administration tried the open borders approach. From Fairfax County, Virginia, to San Francisco, California, Democrat sanctuary cities across America continue this dangerous and deadly experiment… It is time for Congress to fully fund immigration enforcement. ICE and Border Patrol keep our communities safe. They protect our country at great risk to themselves. The work they do is important, urgent, and necessary. The results are undeniable. For the last 12 months, absolutely zero illegal immigrants have been released into our communities through catch and release." Source: Sen. John Barrasso (Republican, Wyoming)

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