Lawmakers Unveil $118 Billion Package Addressing Migrant Crisis and Foreign Aid

A $118 billion legislative package has been revealed, aiming to tackle the alleged migrant crisis at the U.S. southern border and provide new aid to Ukraine, Israel, and other allies. The proposal, which has been subject to months of negotiation, faces a rocky path in the House, with Republican leadership declaring it unwelcome.

The comprehensive 370-page bill seeks to allocate $60 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel, and $10 billion for humanitarian efforts, including in Gaza, as part of President Joe Biden’s requested supplemental aid for foreign conflicts. Despite its bipartisan origins, the package has drawn criticism from former President Donald Trump and other Republican leaders, casting uncertainty on its passage through Congress.

House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the bill as “even worse than expected,” predicting its failure upon arrival in the House. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, however, remains optimistic, planning to initiate the legislative process, citing a strong desire among senators to finalize the deal.

The proposed legislation includes significant border security measures, expanding detention capacity, tightening asylum qualification criteria, and increasing Department of Homeland Security funding by about $20 billion. It proposes ending the “catch and release” practice, introducing a voluntary program for migrants to return to their countries, and expanding green-card-eligible visas. A controversial aspect involves a temporary halt on processing asylum applications under specific conditions, aiming to manage overwhelming migrant inflows.

Despite opposition from within the Republican ranks and criticism from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus for potentially exacerbating border issues without offering long-term solutions, Biden and Schumer endorse the bill as a critical step toward addressing border security and immigration reform challenges.