An ICE officer's badge is seen as federal agents patrol the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K Javitz federal building on 10 June 2025 in New York City. Photograph: Michael M Santiago/Getty Images
Explainer: ICE, Borders, and DHS – What’s in Trump’s $70bn Immigration Crackdown Bill?
Donald Trump signed a new law this week that provides the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with roughly $70bn in additional funding, bankrolling his mass deportation campaign through the end of his second term. Critics say this amounts to a major blow for accountability.
How is the funding divided?
About $26bn is allocated to Customs and Border Protection (CBP), $38bn to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and $5bn more generally to DHS. The funding is available through 30 September 2029, about eight months after Trump is due to leave office. Although the law includes some appropriations for other responsibilities like combating drug trafficking and child sexual exploitation, its primary focus is immigration enforcement.
How will the money be spent?
At US borders and entry points, the legislation includes more than $13bn for CBP agents, support staff, and immigration enforcement operations. For interior policing, ICE receives over $31bn for:
- ICE personnel enforcing immigration policy
- State and local law enforcement cooperation through controversial 287(g) agreements
- Government attorneys to argue for deportations
- Transportation costs for repatriations
- Information technology improvements
- Facility and fleet maintenance
- General “necessary expenses for mission support”
At least $350m is earmarked for enforcement in places that do not cooperate with federal immigration officials, likely targeting sanctuary jurisdictions.
What isn’t in the bill?
None of the funds can be used to facilitate the release of immigrants into the community, including through programs like ankle monitors or virtual check-ins that could avoid long-term detention. Immigration advocates note the law omits guardrails such as reporting requirements and congressional oversight of detention facilities.
Is this the first major cash influx under Trump 2.0?
No. DHS has already received about a quarter of a billion dollars from Congress during Trump’s second term. This new law follows HR 1, which funneled $170bn into immigration enforcement last summer. More funding may come through the regular appropriations process for fiscal year 2027, with Republicans advocating for additional multibillion-dollar payouts.
Did any Democratic demands make it into the law?
The legislation passed through a partisan process requiring only 50 votes in the Senate. Democrats had pushed for reforms after immigration officials killed two US citizens in Minneapolis earlier this year. Their demands included requiring judicial warrants for arrests on private property, verifying citizenship before detaining, banning masked agents, and mandating body-worn cameras. None of these measures were included. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska was the only Republican to vote against the bill, arguing that funding agencies for three years reduces Congress's ability to apply checks on immigration policy.
Has DHS changed its behavior since the Minneapolis outcry?
After former DHS secretary Kristi Noem’s ousting, replacement Markwayne Mullin aimed to reduce the national volume around immigration enforcement while maintaining aggressive tactics. This includes expanding reliance on local authorities and effectively putting bounties on unaccompanied children. Border czar Tom Homan has threatened to send more ICE agents to New York. ICE remains in the headlines due to protests at detention centers and lawsuits over inhumane conditions at facilities like Delaney Hall and Fort Bliss. DHS denies all allegations. The administration also plans to use warehouses bought under Noem for mass detention despite legal challenges.
Who is being affected?
As of early April, over 70% of the 60,311 detainees had no criminal convictions. Advocates argue the funding will widen the net of those detained. Krish O’Mara Vignarajah of Global Refuge warned that without accountability, longtime residents, children, legal status holders, and even US citizens bear the consequences.
