In Washington, Republicans in Congress are heavily investing in President Donald Trump’s immigration policies as part of their latest ambitious tax bill. The proposal includes allocating billions of dollars for additional staffing, imposing new fees on asylum seekers, and substantial funding for the border wall that Trump has long championed. Specifically, the plan aims to add nearly 20,000 new law enforcement officers, create a $1,000 fee for those pursuing asylum, and allocate $46.5 billion for the border wall.
The discussions began with public hearings as House Republicans presented details of what Trump has termed his “big, beautiful bill.” This legislation is set to deliver $5 trillion in tax cuts and reduce domestic spending by $2 trillion. However, it also recommends a $300 billion increase in funding for the Pentagon and border security, highlighting the Trump administration’s urgency as it faces financial constraints on deportations.
House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated plans to finalize the bill by Memorial Day, hoping to pass it to the Senate, which is preparing its version. “We are on track,” Johnson affirmed during his routine press briefing. This phase follows months of conceptual discussions as Republicans begin articulating the details of Trump’s flagship tax initiative, central to the party’s domestic policy goals.
With Trump’s presidency reaching the 100-day mark, the administration’s strict immigration policies face growing public scrutiny, with only a slim majority expressing confidence in his focus on the nation’s priorities. Legal challenges have also placed the White House in a tough spot after the wrongful deportation of a Maryland resident to El Salvador, and recent reports suggesting the deportation of immigrant parents and their U.S. citizen children.
Despite Democrats’ efforts to oppose the bill in both the House and Senate, their minority status restricts their influence over the bill’s progression. They used the recent hearings to voice criticism of the proposed measures, urging Republicans to reevaluate their strategy. “Do a little soul searching before you vote for this,” remarked Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, the ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security Committee.
The Homeland Committee section notably proposes $46.5 billion for the U.S.-Mexico border wall, which would include approximately 700 miles of primary barriers and 900 miles of river barriers. It also suggests $4 billion for 3,000 new Border Patrol agents, 5,000 new customs officers, and $2.1 billion for hiring bonuses. Debates within the committee extended for hours, with Democrats proposing numerous amendments, all of which were ultimately rejected.
One amendment, proposed by Rep. Troy Carter of Louisiana, aimed to prevent funds from being used to deport American children, while another by Rep. Seth Magaziner of Rhode Island sought to block money from being used to send Americans to foreign prisons. “What world are we living in?” questioned Magaziner, warning against measures that could endanger constitutional rights.
The legislation proposes an unprecedented $1,000 fee on asylum seekers, aligning the U.S. with a few other countries that impose such fees, including Australia and Iran. Additionally, the judiciary will soon consider other significant measures, including new fees on legal immigration processes and expanding the nation’s deportation and detention capabilities.
Concurrently, the House Armed Services Committee is negotiating its part of the package. This includes $100 billion in new expenditures, with $5 billion dedicated to border security. The hearing witnessed heated exchanges over funding for Ukraine, a proposed military parade, and calls for the dismissal of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Among various amendments, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a former service member, proposed blocking implementation of certain measures until Hegseth’s removal as Secretary of Defense. Rep. Seth Moulton opposed funds for Trump’s planned parade, referencing Trump’s draft deferments during the Vietnam War. Meanwhile, Rep. Sara Jacobs advocated for halting funds for a proposed make-up studio for Hegseth.
While these sections of the bill continue to be discussed, key components such as tax breaks for individuals and reductions in social services like Medicaid and food stamps are still being drafted. These provisions are expected soon, although delays are possible.
Once finalized, the entire package will be presented for a House vote before moving to the Senate for further consideration.