WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate has approved a $70 billion immigration enforcement funding package that will provide three years of funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection, ending weeks of debate over a separate and controversial settlement fund.
The legislation passed Friday after lawmakers spent much of the week arguing over a disputed $1.776 billion settlement fund connected to a separate Justice Department matter. The funding bill itself focuses on maintaining operations for federal immigration enforcement agencies after funding had lapsed in mid-February.
Several Republican senators sought to amend the legislation by redirecting money from the settlement fund. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) proposed using the funds to assist law enforcement officers injured during the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, while Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) pushed to transfer the money into a Department of Justice account. Both proposals were narrowly defeated.
The debate continued despite Attorney General Todd Blanche stating earlier in the week that the settlement payments would not move forward. Critics argued that Congress should place formal restrictions on the funds rather than rely on administrative assurances.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) criticized the final legislation, arguing that lawmakers were depending on promises rather than statutory safeguards. The measure now moves to the House, where lawmakers could seek additional changes.
The legal status of the settlement fund remains unresolved and could face further congressional scrutiny or court challenges as debate over immigration enforcement funding continues.
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