Senate passes bill providing USD 70 billion in additional immigration enforcement funding

Protestors clash with Newark Police as they try to block vehicles leaving Delaney Hall Immigration Detention Center on Thursday in Newark, New Jersey. PIC/AFP

The US Senate handed President Donald Trump a victory early on Friday morning, passing a bill that would provide the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with an additional $70 billion for immigration enforcement and sending it to the House of Representatives for final consideration.

The Senate voted 52-47 to approve the legislation, with no support from Democrats and no provision to ban a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponisation" fund that could compensate Trump's political allies for allegations that the government mistreated them. One Republican voted against the bill. Senate Republican Leader John Thune said the fund was a "settled issue".

Republicans have accused Democrats of "defunding" Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol, despite the agencies having a combined $100 billion in unspent funds that were part of a larger DHS spending package enacted last year by Republicans, who control Congress.

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