House Republicans Advance Bigoted Homeland Security Spending Spree

Nicolae Viorel Butler, Migrant Insider

WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, the Republican-controlled House Appropriations Committee advanced the Fiscal Year 2026 Homeland Security Appropriations Act in a 36–27 vote, sending forward a $66.36 billion package that delivers on President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration platform and prioritizes border security, detention, and deportation.

Backed by a GOP majority in both chambers and a receptive White House, the measure reflects a fundamental restructuring of the Department of Homeland Security’s priorities. It eliminates funding for programs seen by Republicans as encouraging unauthorized migration and imposes new restrictions on immigration processing and detainee rights.

Budget Breakdown and Priorities

Among the most significant investments:

• $613 million to maintain a force of 22,000 Border Patrol agents
• $4.4 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody operations—enough to fund 50,000 detention beds
• $1 billion for transportation and deportation operations
• $346 million for new border technology and $300 million for inspection equipment
• $1.6 billion for modernizing Coast Guard vessels and aircraft

Elimination of Migrant Support Programs

• $650 million by eliminating the Shelter and Services Program
• $20 million by ending the Case Management Pilot Program
• $1.7 billion by eliminating soft-sided processing facilities
• $28.6 million by terminating the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman

Restrictions and Policy Riders

• Bans DHS funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and Critical Race Theory (CRT) initiatives
• Prohibits gender-affirming healthcare and abortion services for ICE detainees, except in cases of rape, incest, or life endangerment
• Requires GPS monitoring for all non-detained immigrants until removal or legal resolution
• Prevents DHS from labeling constitutionally protected speech as “misinformation,” with employees subject to termination for violations

It also prohibits:

• The development of immigration ID cards
• Any reduction in ICE’s 287(g) agreements with local law enforcement
• Use of funds to transport immigrants into the interior U.S. for any reason other than enforcement
• Enforcement of state-level labor laws for immigration detainees

Foreign and Border Restrictions

The bill blocks visa-free entry for Chinese nationals to the Northern Mariana Islands, restricts student visas to unaccredited schools, and bans the importation of aerosol-dispensing drones from “foreign adversary countries.” It also prohibits new fees for crossing U.S. land borders and repeals restrictions on constructing border fencing.

Amendment Activity

• Technical adjustments and asylum eligibility reforms
• Visa category expansions for seasonal and temporary workers
• FEMA grant oversight reforms
• Clarifications on DHS facility access and deportation policies
• Language reinforcing enforcement near sensitive locations and evaluating TPS decisions

Democratic efforts to limit ICE enforcement powers and increase FEMA restrictions were rejected along party lines.

Next Steps

The bill’s advancement marks a significant legislative win for the Trump administration and cements a dramatic reversal from the Biden-era approach to immigration and homeland security.

Read the Press Briefing Here.
Read Bill Text here.
Read Bill Report here.

*These news come just after the announcement of the the Trump’s administration Medicaid cuts.