A major spending bill signed by President Donald Trump has allocated unprecedented funding for immigration enforcement, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) receiving what Democrats are calling a "deportation machine on steroids."
According to Daily Mail, the legislation known as the "Big, Beautiful Bill" provides approximately $150 billion for border security measures.
The bill represents a dramatic expansion of ICE's operational capacity, tripling its annual budget from $10 billion to around $45 billion. Progressive lawmakers have voiced strong opposition, with Rep. Pramila Jayapal warning that the increased funding would supercharge ICE's ability to detain and deport individuals regardless of legal status.
The legislation allocates $45 billion specifically for expanding ICE detention facilities to accommodate over 100,000 beds. An additional $52 billion will support border wall construction and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) infrastructure improvements. The bill also provides $10 billion in grants to reimburse states for border security expenses incurred during the Biden administration.
Republicans have celebrated the funding package as a decisive step toward strengthening border security. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons praised the bill as a win for the American people, stating it would enable agents to continue "making America safe again" through increased enforcement operations.
The unprecedented scale of funding makes ICE the highest-funded federal law enforcement agency in U.S. history. According to immigration policy experts, ICE's new budget exceeds the combined annual budgets of the FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals, and Bureau of Prisons.
The legislation provides $6.2 billion for advanced border surveillance systems and vetting technology. It also allocates $4.1 billion to hire additional Border Patrol agents and $2 billion for retention and signing bonuses to boost staffing levels.
CBP officials highlighted that the funding will support hiring 3,000 new Border Patrol agents and 5,000 new Customs officers. The agency emphasized that the investments in personnel, technology and infrastructure represent a "historic" commitment to border security.
The bill aims to address the estimated 10 million migrants who entered the U.S. illegally during the Biden administration through enhanced deportation capabilities. CBP noted the funding will enable construction of 701 miles of "new, modern border wall" while significantly upgrading enforcement resources.
Democratic leaders have strongly condemned the massive increase in immigration enforcement funding. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned that the bill would unleash "a deportation machine on steroids."
Immigration advocates argue the expanded detention and deportation operations will impact both undocumented and legal immigrants. The American Immigration Council expressed concern about ICE's unprecedented enforcement authority under the new funding levels.
Republicans maintain the investments are necessary to restore order at the southern border. The Trump administration has framed the legislation as fulfilling campaign promises to strengthen immigration enforcement and complete the border wall project.
The dramatic expansion of ICE's operational capacity signals a new phase of intensified immigration enforcement across the country. With triple its previous budget and thousands of new agents, ICE is positioned to significantly increase detention and deportation activities.
The funding provides ICE unprecedented resources for interior enforcement beyond the border regions. Immigration policy experts anticipate the agency will expand operations in major cities and employment sectors.
The bill's passage marks a pivotal shift in U.S. immigration enforcement, establishing ICE as the predominant federal law enforcement agency. While Republicans celebrate the enhanced security measures, Democrats warn of far-reaching impacts on immigrant communities nationwide.
