US House Passes $70 Billion Plan for Enhanced Immigration Control

The US House of Representatives approved a three-year budget plan that will pave the way for Congress to consider an additional $70 billion for immigration enforcement activities by federal agents. The vote was 215 to 211, with no support from Democrats. House Speaker Mike Johnson kept the vote open for over five hours while working to gain enough Republican support for the measure. The Senate approved the plan on April 23. With House approval, it will be up to Republicans in both houses to work out the details of the $70 billion proposal and get it approved before sending it to President Donald Trump for signing. Republicans hope to do this in May and will use a special procedure, rarely used, that allows them to move legislation through the Senate without any support from Democrats. Republicans used the same procedure last year to quickly approve about $130 billion in funding for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agencies—a massive increase that Trump requested to carry out his massive campaign to deport immigrants. Republicans have resisted attempts by Democrats to restrict ICE and Border Patrol operations in American cities, which have sparked protests, especially after two American citizens were shot and killed by federal agents this year in Minneapolis. By the end of this week, a series of agencies operating under the Department of Homeland Security will run out of funding unless Republicans in Congress reach an agreement on a bill for the