Republicans Advance $150 Billion Trump Immigration Bill/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Republicans in the U.S. House passed a massive $150 billion immigration enforcement bill aiming to solidify Donald Trump’s border policies. The legislation funds 10,000 new agents, expands the border wall, and imposes steep fees on asylum seekers. The measure now heads to the Senate, where GOP leaders hope to pass it by July 4.
Trump-Era Immigration Policies Revived: Quick Looks
- $150 Billion Budget for border security and mass deportations.
- 10,000 New Agents funded to expand immigration enforcement.
- $46.5 Billion allocated for new U.S.-Mexico border wall construction.
- High Fees for Asylum Seekers, up to $6,500 over five years.
- $3,500 Custody Fee plus $5,000 deposit for unaccompanied migrant children.
- Remittance Tax of 5% on money sent abroad by non-citizens.
- Deportation Goals: 200,000 removed so far; more funding sought.
- Senate Vote by July 4 expected; GOP holds a 53-47 majority.
- CBO Estimates $3.8 Trillion Deficit Increase over a decade.
- Judicial Oversight Limited, including potential judge order nullifications.
Deep Look: Republicans Aim to Lock in Trump’s Immigration Legacy With $150B Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Republicans have launched their most aggressive effort yet to entrench former President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda, advancing a monumental $150 billion immigration enforcement package through the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation lays the groundwork for mass deportations, expansive border wall construction, and new financial barriers for migrants seeking asylum in the United States.
The 1,000-page bill, described by House Homeland Security Chair Mark Green as a tool to “secure our nation’s borders for generations to come,” allocates resources for:
- Hiring 10,000 new immigration officers
- Building additional sections of the southern border wall
- Creating punitive fees targeting asylum seekers and migrant families
The measure is now under Senate review, where Republicans — holding a narrow 53-47 majority — aim for passage ahead of Independence Day.
Wall Funding Draws GOP Division
The legislation includes $46.5 billion for the continuation of Trump’s signature border wall, despite questions about its effectiveness and cost.
Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), a fiscal hawk and ranking member of the Senate Homeland Committee, challenged the need for further wall funding, saying:
“You’re controlling 95% of the border without a wall right now. Maybe you don’t need a wall. You need willpower.”
Still, the administration contends the wall remains essential for long-term deterrence.
Hefty Fees for Migrants and Families
The bill would make seeking refuge in the U.S. financially prohibitive for many migrants:
- Asylum applications: Minimum $1,000 fee, plus $550 for work authorization.
- Five-year total costs for asylum seekers: Estimated $6,500.
- Families seeking custody of migrant children: $3,500 fee + $5,000 deposit = $8,500.
Pro-immigration advocates like Nayna Gupta of the American Immigration Council argue these measures “put legal pathways out of reach” for many qualified migrants.
Ken Cuccinelli, former Trump Homeland Security official, defended the fees, saying:
“If asylum seekers aren’t paying these fees, then other visa requestors are paying them.”
Massive Fiscal Impact
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the bill would increase the federal deficit by $3.8 trillion over 10 years, mostly due to Trump-era tax cuts embedded in the legislation.
A 5% tax on remittances — money sent abroad by non-citizens — is included to help fund enforcement. But analysts at the Center for Global Development note that even if fully effective, it would generate only a fraction of the required funding.
“Remittance taxes may decline as senders look for ways to avoid them,” the report warned.
Judicial Limits and Political Fallout
One controversial provision would limit the ability of federal judges to hold immigration officers in contempt — raising red flags among Democrats and legal scholars.
Representative Joe Neguse (D-CO) called the measure “a deep deviation from existing federal law,” warning it could undermine judicial authority in immigration enforcement disputes.
This comes as the Trump administration’s clashes with federal judges over deportation policies intensify.
Senate Outlook and White House Position
Republicans hope to push the bill through the Senate by July 4, but opposition from Democrats — and some GOP senators wary of deficit increases and Medicaid offsets — could complicate the timeline.
The White House, via spokesperson Abigail Jackson, defended the bill as “a permanent fix to illegal immigration and a reinforcement of Trump’s successful policies.”
Trump’s current immigration czar, Tom Homan, said the bill is crucial for fulfilling Trump’s 2024 campaign promises. According to Homan, deportations under Trump in recent months have reached 200,000, but still fall behind Biden-era levels due to resource limitations.
“I hope Congress comes together and funds what the American people demanded,” Homan said.
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