Donald Trump signed a nearly $70bn immigration enforcement package into law on Wednesday after the House narrowly passed the legislation, ensuring funding for Immigration. Customs Enforcement (ICE) and border patrol activities through the rest of Trump’s presidency.
The Secure America Act passed in a 214-212 vote that was largely along party lines. with Kevin Kiley, an independent who aligns with the Republicans, joining all Democrats in voting no. The Senate approved the measure last week, which allocates $38bn to ICE, $26bn to Customs. Border Protection (CBP) and $5bn more to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through September 2029.
“This morning, I’m thrilled to sign the Secure America Act to immediately. fully fund the Department of Homeland Security through the end of my term,” Trump said during the signing in the Oval Office. “We’ll give the heroes of ICE. border patrol – and that’s what they are, they’re heroes – the support and resources they need to defend our borders, protect our homeland, and to keep America safe.”
According to a White House statement, the purpose of the Secure America Act is to provide “the resources needed to keep our border secure, combat human trafficking, stop the flow of deadly drugs, dismantle criminal cartels,. enforce America’s immigration laws”.
Democrats have consistently objected to the legislation. especially following the Trump administration’s expansion of ICE operations in cities across the US.
The signing of the bill brings an end to a funding impasse involving the agencies. Democrats announced the initial blockade in January after federal agents killed two US citizens, Alex Pretti. Renee Good, in Minneapolis during an intensive operation described as targeting undocumented immigrants.
The Democratic boycott. along with unsuccessful attempts to negotiate changes to federal immigration enforcement practices, prevented passage of legislation authorizing funding for the entire DHS. As a result. the department was shut down for 75 days beginning in mid-February, the longest partial shutdown in US history.
“Republicans have now come back for more, to give ICE. Donald Trump’s violent mass deportation machine another $70bn blank check, with no oversight, no accountability and no guardrails,” House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries said in response to the bill’s passage.
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