President Donald Trump successfully pushed through a massive fiscal package in the House of Representatives on Thursday, fundamentally reshaping the United States' immigration system. This legislation not only maintains the tax cuts established in 2017 but also provides the administration with unprecedented budgetary resources to carry out its ambitious plans for large-scale detentions and deportations of immigrants. Promised as a central part of his second term, Trump has announced he will sign the bill on July 4th.
Amid chants of "USA, USA" from Republican members, Stephen Miller, the architect of Trump's immigration policy, hailed the legislation as the "golden age" of their anti-immigration agenda. Nevertheless, the bill has sparked a wave of criticism due to its harsh punitive measures and the significant social program cuts accompanying it.
Expanding Detention Capacity with $45 Billion
The cornerstone of Trump's plan is an unprecedented expansion of the immigrant detention system. Out of the $80 billion allocated for immigration, $45 billion will specifically be used to expand and operate detention centers from 2025 to 2029. This funding is expected to increase annual detention spending from $3.43 billion in 2024 to over $9 billion annually.
This increase in resources will enable ICE to detain around 100,000 individuals simultaneously, more than doubling the current capacity of nearly 49,000 beds. Organizations like the American Immigration Council warn that the actual number could exceed 125,000 beds. Furthermore, family and individual residential centers, like the newly opened one in Florida's swamps, will be funded as models for replication.
Reported risks include medical negligence, overcrowding, prolonged isolation, lack of oversight on detention conditions, and opacity regarding detainees' whereabouts, as already documented by ICE. Analyst Aaron Reichlin-Melnick noted that this expansion would make ICE the most funded federal security agency in recent history, surpassing the combined budgets of the FBI, DEA, ATF, and Bureau of Prisons.
Strengthening ICE and DHS with $29.85 Billion and $2.055 Billion
The second major funding avenue strengthens ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and the DHS (Department of Homeland Security). ICE will receive nearly $30 billion for the mass hiring and training of agents, performance and retention bonuses, and the expansion of mobile units and tracking technology.
The expansion of the 287(g) program, which allows local police to collaborate with federal agents in detaining immigrants, is also included. This program is particularly popular in Florida, with nearly 300 agreements in place since January 2025, and will be institutionalized through September 2029. DHS will receive an additional $2.055 billion to expand the Border Patrol (CBP) staff, strengthen transport, deportation operations, and conduct joint investigations with local agencies, as well as perform background checks and anti-gang operations.
Border Wall and Surveillance Technology: A $46.55 Billion Investment
The third major budget allocation, nearly $47 billion, is directed toward reinforcing the U.S.-Mexico border with new physical barriers and surveillance systems. The funding will cover the construction and renovation of primary and secondary barriers, maritime containment systems, and complementary infrastructure such as roads, sensors, cameras, lights, and detection towers.
Additional funds include $4.1 billion for hiring more border agents and over $5 billion for checkpoints and border centers, along with over $2 billion in recruitment bonuses. This expansion coincides with record-high detentions at the southern border, with more than 12,000 people detained in a single day in May alone. Experts link this increase to the end of asylum rights, one of Trump's controversial second-term measures. However, a federal judge recently blocked this decision, stating that the president cannot replace the established immigration system set by Congress, prompting a legal dispute that could affect immigration flow and budgetary consequences.
Criticism: "Social Betrayal" and Widening Inequality
The fiscal package has faced significant opposition from progressive, humanitarian, and state sectors. Notable criticisms include Gavin Newsom, California's governor, labeling the law as "the ultimate betrayal," as it leaves 17 million people without affordable health insurance and 18 million children without school meals. Tim Walz, Minnesota's governor, asserted that the damage caused "can never be fully reversed." Human Rights Watch condemned Congress for channeling "billions of dollars into harmful immigration policies" while dismantling essential social programs.
In conclusion, the fiscal megapackage approved by the House is not just an economic tool; it's an ideological manifesto. While cutting Medicaid and food assistance, it channels billions into the machinery of detention, deportation, and immigration exclusion. The planned signing on July 4th—a symbolic date for the American spirit—ushers in a new era that critics argue redefines the country's foundational values. With this new legal framework, Trump seeks to leave a lasting mark: a deeply militarized immigration system, financially fortified until 2029, with human consequences that could endure well beyond.
Understanding the Impact of Trump's Immigration Funding
How will the new legislation affect immigrant detention capacities?
The legislation significantly increases funding for immigrant detention, allowing ICE to detain around 100,000 individuals simultaneously, more than doubling current capacities.
What are the criticisms of the new immigration funding?
Critics argue that the funding focuses on punitive immigration measures while cutting essential social programs, increasing inequality and social betrayal.
What is the significance of signing the bill on July 4th?
Signing the bill on July 4th, a symbolic date for American values, underscores the administration's commitment to a restrictive immigration agenda, despite criticism that it contradicts foundational U.S. principles.