Republicans propose $72 billion package for ICE and White House ballroom security
US Senate Republicans have unveiled a sweeping $72 billion spending package that directs tens of billions of dollars toward immigration enforcement, alongside funding for border security, law enforcement agencies, and White House ballroom security, Qazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
The proposal is split across two bills released by the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, outlining a broad expansion of federal immigration and security operations.
At the center of the package is a significant increase in funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Judiciary Committee bill allocates $30.7 billion to ICE through 2029, covering hiring, training, transportation for deportation operations, information technology upgrades, and facility and fleet maintenance. It also includes support for cooperation with state and local authorities under existing immigration enforcement agreements.
An additional $7.45 billion is earmarked for Homeland Security Investigations under a separate bill, focused on staffing and operational support for investigative functions outside traditional immigration enforcement roles.
Border security and staffing also receive substantial funding. The package includes $19.1 billion for Customs and Border Protection personnel, along with $3.47 billion in a separate allocation for hiring and equipping agents. Additional investments target surveillance technology, inspection systems, and efforts to combat drug trafficking, including fentanyl, at U.S. borders.
Beyond immigration enforcement, the proposal directs $1.46 billion to the Department of Justice to support federal law enforcement activities, including counterterrorism, drug enforcement, and immigration-related prosecutions.
The package also includes $1 billion for security upgrades tied to the White House East Wing modernization project. Lawmakers specified that the funds are limited to security-related enhancements within the White House complex.
Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that security concerns surrounding the White House Correspondents' Dinner have renewed focus on the White House ballroom project.
