Senate Passes $70 Billion Immigration Enforcement Funding Bill

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate early Friday morning passed a $70 billion bill providing multi-year funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), securing resources for President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement priorities through the end of his term.

Senators voted 52-47 along party lines, with all Republicans in favor and Democrats opposed. The legislation funds the agencies for three years, addressing a funding lapse that began in mid-February after Democrats blocked prior measures.

The bill’s passage followed weeks of internal Republican negotiations and procedural delays stemming from controversy over a separate, unrelated $1.776 billion settlement fund tied to Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS over leaked tax returns. That fund, intended for individuals claiming political persecution, drew bipartisan criticism and nearly derailed the immigration measure.

Senate Republicans used budget reconciliation procedures to advance the bill without needing 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. Multiple amendments, including Democratic efforts and Republican proposals from Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) to restrict or redirect the settlement fund, were defeated. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche had previously indicated the fund would not proceed, but lawmakers sought legislative certainty.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) urged focus on immigration enforcement, stating delays were due to debates over the unrelated fund. Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, criticized the bill as a blank check for enforcement without accountability measures.

The funding comes amid heightened enforcement actions and follows incidents earlier in the year, including fatal shootings involving federal agents that prompted Democratic demands for reforms such as body cameras, visible identification, and warrant requirements—none of which were included in the final bill.

Republicans hailed the measure as essential for border security, hiring additional agents, and sustaining operations against illegal immigration. The bill now heads to the House for consideration before reaching the president’s desk. This funding locks in resources for Trump’s immigration agenda heading into the 2026 midterms.