4 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 21
$70 billion-plus for ICE and Customs and Border Protection is being advanced by Senate Republicans through budget reconciliation rather than the normal appropriations process.
Republicans turned to the filibuster-proof procedure after Democrats blocked funding for President Trump's immigration crackdown, using a tool originally designed for tax and spending changes.
Lindsey Graham, the Senate Budget Committee chairman, acknowledged the maneuver was not how reconciliation was meant to be used, but said the failed appropriations process left Republicans little alternative.
The move underscores how far both parties have stretched Senate budget rules, reviving warnings that broader use of reconciliation could erode the chamber's deliberative character.
As the detainee population swells, what are the hidden costs of expanding enforcement without parallel oversight?
With internal oversight nearly eliminated, what safeguards will prevent misuse of a $70 billion enforcement budget?
The $70 Billion ICE/CBP Funding Push: Partisan Reconciliation, Oversight Fears, and the Future of U.S. Immigration Policy
Overview
In April and May 2026, Senate Republicans responded to a 69-day partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security—which had disrupted programs like Global Entry and threatened TSA payroll—by pushing a $70 billion funding package for ICE and CBP. Using the budget reconciliation process, they aimed to secure multi-year financial stability for these border agencies, bypassing the usual Senate filibuster. This controversial move followed significant operational challenges during the shutdown and set a new precedent for funding enforcement agencies, raising concerns about oversight and the future of Congressional budget practices.