House GOP Pushes Billions For Trump Deportations Plan/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ House Republicans are advancing a sweeping tax and spending bill that includes billions for President Donald Trump’s deportation and detention agenda. The plan features new immigration fees, tens of thousands of new officers, and expanded border wall funding. Democrats blasted the move, calling it extreme and unconstitutional.
Trump Immigration Funding: Quick Looks
- $46.5 billion for expanded U.S.-Mexico border wall
- $4 billion to hire 8,000+ new immigration officers
- $2.1 billion in hiring bonuses for border agents
- $1,000 asylum application fee introduced for first time
- Goal to deport 1 million immigrants annually
- 100,000 detention beds funded, including for families
- New fees on child sponsors, parolees, legal pathways
- Democrats unsuccessfully proposed 30+ amendments
- Hegseth under fire during Armed Services hearing
- Tax breaks and social program cuts still to come
House GOP Pushes Billions For Trump Deportations Plan
Deep Look
House GOP Moves Billions Into Trump’s Deportation Plan as Part of Sweeping Tax Package
WASHINGTON — House Republicans advanced a massive tax-and-spending package Tuesday that not only includes trillions in tax breaks but also funnels billions of dollars into President Donald Trump’s aggressive deportation and border control strategy, marking a dramatic escalation in the administration’s immigration crackdown.
The sprawling legislative package, championed by House Speaker Mike Johnson, seeks to make permanent Trump-era tax cuts while also injecting $300 billion in national security and border enforcement funds — including $46.5 billion to resume and expand the U.S.-Mexico border wall.
“We are on track,” Johnson said confidently, as the House kicks off what he hopes will be a final push toward passage by Memorial Day.
What’s in the Bill?
Key provisions of the Homeland Security section include funding for nearly 700 miles of new primary border wall, 900 miles of river barriers, and the hiring of more than 8,000 new federal agents. An additional $2.1 billion would be used for signing and retention bonuses for border personnel.
The bill also includes a $1,000 application fee for asylum seekers — a first in U.S. history — alongside other new penalties such as a $3,500 fee for those sponsoring unaccompanied minors and a $2,500 fine for missed court appearances.
The administration’s goal: deport 1 million undocumented immigrants annually and fund 100,000 detention beds, some of which would be used to detain families and children.
Democrats Decry “Cruelty by Design”
Democrats, who lack the votes to stop the package outright, used Tuesday’s hearings to highlight what they see as morally indefensible measures.
“Do a little soul searching before you vote for this,” said Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee.
Other amendments offered by Democrats — including proposals to ban deporting U.S. citizen children or using taxpayer funds to send Americans to foreign jails — were all rejected in party-line votes.
Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.) bluntly asked, “What world are we living in?”
Hegseth and Military Spending Debated
The Armed Services Committee’s portion of the bill includes $100 billion in military spending, with $5 billion earmarked for border operations. However, the hearing veered into controversy as Democrats grilled Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over his use of Signal chats for sensitive war discussions and his request for a makeup studio at the Pentagon.
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) introduced an amendment halting defense funds unless Hegseth resigns. Another amendment, by Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), aimed to block funding for Trump’s planned June military parade in Washington, calling it a vanity display for a “draft dodger.”
Next: Tax Cuts, Program Slashes
While the immigration and defense funding components are now finalized in committee, other major sections of the bill — including tax relief for individual filers and steep cuts to social programs like Medicaid and SNAP — are still being written.
Republicans aim to complete those by next week, though delays are possible. Once finalized, the entire package will be merged into one comprehensive bill for a floor vote before heading to the Senate.
A Contentious Path Forward
The GOP’s inclusion of harsh immigration measures in a tax bill is already proving divisive. Public polling shows voters are increasingly uneasy with Trump’s mass deportation strategy, and legal challenges to the administration’s actions are mounting.
Still, the White House insists the funding is necessary. Homeland Security has warned that existing deportation resources are being exhausted, while GOP leaders say they are delivering on a campaign promise.
As the legislative process advances, expect the immigration and tax debate to dominate headlines through the summer — with long-term implications for the 2026 midterms and beyond.
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