President Donald Trump has signed the Secure America Act, a bill led by the GOP that allocates funding for the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol until 2029.
House Republicans successfully passed the reconciliation package, marking a significant achievement for the Trump administration, this week. The nearly $70 billion legislation, which had been delayed in the Senate for several weeks, was approved by the lower chamber with a vote of 214-212.
(Infographic courtesy: X@RepHageman)
The legislation allocates approximately $38 billion for ICE and $26 billion for Customs and Border Protection, with an additional $5 billion reserved for unexpected expenses. It supports the recruitment of more agents, the increase of deportations for individuals residing in the country unlawfully, and the enhancement of border security infrastructure.
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Andrew Garbarino said the legislation would support "the dedicated men and women of DHS law enforcement who put their lives on the line every day to protect the homeland and keep the American people safe."
Lawmakers warn of China-linked money laundering networksLawmakers and experts have raised concerns over the growing role of China-linked money laundering networks in helping Mexican drug cartels move and conceal billions of dollars in illicit proceeds, warning that the sophisticated operations pose a major challenge to American law enforcement and national security. During recent congressional discussions and hearings, members of Congress highlighted how transnational criminal organizations have increasingly relied on Chinese money laundering groups to clean profits generated from the trafficking of fentanyl and other narcotics into the United States. "Chinese money laundering networks have become the bankers’ cartel for poisoning our communities, including over 40,000 shell companies that are operating right here in the United States today. Every dollar that is laundered buys more fentanyl, more guns, more product, and it’s moving directly into our country,” Rep Zach Nunn said. |
