Susan Collins and Republican senators have advanced a legislative proposal to allocate $70 billion for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) amid an ongoing partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The move comes as lawmakers seek to fund key immigration enforcement agencies while negotiations over broader DHS appropriations remain stalled. The plan, introduced in the Senate, aims to ensure continued operations for ICE and Border Patrol agents responsible for interior enforcement and border security, respectively.
The proposal reflects heightened Republican pressure on House Speaker Mike Johnson to resolve the DHS funding impasse, which has left several agency components operating under temporary continuing resolutions. Senators argue that sustained funding for ICE and CBP is critical to maintaining enforcement capabilities related to detention, deportation, and border interdiction efforts. The $70 billion figure represents a multi-year commitment designed to cover operational costs through the remainder of the current presidential term, according to legislative summaries reviewed by multiple news outlets.
Independent verification of the funding amount and legislative sponsors confirms that Senator Susan Collins of Maine is among the Republicans backing the initiative. Collins, a moderate Republican known for her bipartisan approach on certain issues, has previously supported measures strengthening border security while advocating for humane treatment of migrants. Her involvement underscores internal party dynamics where leadership is attempting to unify caucus members around a targeted funding solution amid broader disagreements over DHS budget levels and policy riders.
The legislative effort coincides with ongoing debates over immigration policy, including asylum processing, detention standards, and worksite enforcement. ICE, which operates under DHS, is responsible for enforcing federal immigration laws within the United States, including the detention and removal of individuals deemed inadmissible or deportable. CBP, also part of DHS, manages inspections at ports of entry, patrols international land and maritime borders, and oversees the Border Patrol, which focuses on areas between ports of entry.
According to official DHS budget documentation, ICE’s annual operating budget typically ranges between $8 billion and $9 billion in recent fiscal years, while CBP’s budget exceeds $18 billion annually. The $70 billion proposal, if enacted over multiple years, would represent a significant increase in sustained funding levels compared to historical appropriations. Though, no final version of the bill has been published in the Congressional Record or on Congress.gov as of the date of this report, and the exact legislative text remains unavailable for public review.
Multiple reputable news organizations, including The Associated Press and The Washington Post, have reported on similar Republican-led initiatives to fund ICE and CBP during the DHS shutdown, noting that the $70 billion figure appears in internal caucus discussions and draft proposals. The Hill confirmed that Senate Republicans are using the funding push as leverage to pressure House leadership into bringing a full DHS appropriations bill to the floor. Meanwhile, The Guardian reported that some versions of the plan include policy provisions related to asylum restrictions and expanded detention authority, though these elements were not present in the initial Bangor Daily News coverage.
Critics of increased ICE and CBP funding, including immigrant rights organizations and some Democratic lawmakers, have raised concerns about due process protections, conditions in detention facilities, and the potential for expanded enforcement actions in interior communities. The American Immigration Council has previously documented cases of prolonged detention and inadequate medical care in ICE-operated facilities, while the Government Accountability Office has issued reports identifying systemic shortcomings in CBP’s use-of-force oversight and complaint investigation processes.
Supporters of the funding increase argue that robust resources are necessary to manage migration flows, combat human smuggling, and ensure officer safety. They cite rising numbers of migrant encounters at the Southwest Border, which U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported exceeded 2.4 million in fiscal year 2022 and remained elevated in subsequent years. Officials maintain that adequate funding allows for better training, equipment, and personnel retention, which they contend improves both operational effectiveness and accountability.
The Department of Homeland Security has not issued an official statement endorsing or opposing the $70 billion proposal. DHS continues to operate under a series of continuing resolutions that fund the agency at current levels while negotiations proceed. A spokesperson for the agency declined to comment on specific legislative proposals but emphasized that DHS remains committed to executing its mission within available resources.
As of April 2026, no vote has been scheduled on the $70 billion ICE and CBP funding measure in either chamber of Congress. Legislative calendars show that the Senate is expected to consider broader homeland security appropriations in the coming weeks, though the fate of the standalone Republican proposal remains uncertain. Observers note that any final funding package will likely require bipartisan support to overcome procedural hurdles in the Senate, where filibuster rules typically require 60 votes to advance most legislation.
The situation underscores the persistent challenges in funding federal agencies through regular appropriations processes, particularly when policy disagreements become entangled with budget negotiations. For now, ICE and CBP personnel continue to carry out their duties under temporary funding arrangements, while lawmakers work to reach a consensus on long-term financing.
Readers seeking official updates on DHS funding legislation can monitor the Congressional Budget Office’s cost estimates, the House and Senate Appropriations Committee websites, and the Federal Register for notices related to agency operations. The status of individual bills can be tracked via Congress.gov, which provides real-time information on legislative actions, co-sponsors, and committee assignments.
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