House Republicans Propose FY26 Funding Bill for Immigration Enforcement
House Republicans have introduced a funding plan for fiscal year 2026 aimed at bolstering immigration enforcement efforts. The House Budget Committee, led by the GOP, passed the bill on Tuesday evening, following discussions to amend the text.
The bill allocates roughly $66 billion for the 2026 Director’s funding, with about $63 billion designated for non-defense purposes—an increase of nearly 2% from current levels. It also includes a 1% cut in the defense budget, amounting to approximately $3.3 billion.
Furthermore, the proposal sets aside $26.5 billion for what negotiators describe as “major disaster response and recovery activities,” alongside a discretionary budget of $6.3 billion that will be balanced through fee collections.
This legislative move comes as Republicans contemplate approving the administration’s deportation strategy while advocating for additional funding for immigration enforcement. This is part of a broader initiative related to the president’s tax agenda, which GOP leaders hope to advance before August.
Significantly, the plan aims to increase funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by around $1 billion. Republicans argue this will facilitate 50,000 detention beds and enhance operations for the removal of over 1.3 million individuals without legal authorization to stay in the country.
The bill proposes an increase of $31.8 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which reflects a $4.5 billion rise from current funding. It also suggests $26.5 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) while increasing funds for the Department of Transportation Security, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
However, there are plans to reduce funding for various programs, including office lists while targeting shelter and service programs, as well as pilot programs for case management. Funding for the immigration detention ombudsman, the family reunification task force, and border management activities is also set to be reduced.
Additionally, cuts are expected for the Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, the Office of the Secretary, and several other departments within the agency.
The Republicans are framing the bill as crucial support for the Trump administration’s border security and immigration enforcement initiatives. Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.) noted that, “With new leadership in the White House, we’re shifting from past weaknesses to a stronger U.S. preparedness stance.”
He emphasized the need for resources across various sectors, saying, “We provide personnel, training, and technology to enhance our community’s defenses.” However, concerns were raised regarding ICE’s financial management, with reports indicating that improper practices have led to a reliance on reprogramming funds.
Democrats opposed the proposed funding increases, expressing concern about the administration’s deportation policies. Senator Lauren Underwood criticized the approach, stating, “This administration’s deportation policy disregards legal boundaries, endangering American citizens’ safety in their homes and workplaces.”
The committee discussed several amendments during the hearing, including proposals from Democrats aimed at halting the detention of U.S. citizens and addressing FEMA funding needs amidst a significant deficit.
Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) had proposed cuts to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) funding, aligning with budget requests from 2026. Though he initially intended to push for these reductions, he later withdrew his amendments, suggesting that the broader legislative floor was a more fitting venue for discussion.
Amodei remarked on the likelihood of the amendment’s success in the legislative process, indicating that prior criticism of CISA’s performance under the previous administration could influence future funding decisions.
