Fight Over Border Widens as DHS Warns of Reduced Operations

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced its funding shortfalls could cause it to scale back border security and deportation procedures in the near future. 

DHS’s announcement came shortly after the US Senate passed a $95 billion foreign aid package that contained scant border security provisions. 

 DHS spokesperson Erin Heeter reportedly said that President Joe Biden’s administration has "repeatedly requested additional resources" for the DHS, only to be "chronically underfunded."

Aside from granting $481 million for refugee and immigrant arrival social services, the recently passed foreign aid bill does not include any immigration or border enforcement measures. 

Republicans and Democrats have been unable to agree on the extent and type of legislation needed to face the growing migratory crisis along the US’s southwest border. 

Last week, the Senate failed to pass a major border bill that would have provided $20.23 billion for border security while permitting a constant influx of illegal immigrants. 

In the House, Republicans voted to impeach DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas shortly after the Senate border bill failed. 

The proceeding – triggered by Republicans’ belief that Secretary Mayorkas has neglected his post and committed dereliction of duty – will force the Homeland Security Secretary to stand trial in the Senate.

Meanwhile, Senate Republicans have continued pressuring lawmakers to reach an agreement to secure the southern border. 

Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), who both voted against the foreign aid package, have fiercely criticized the White House’s failure to secure the southern border. 

“What good is America to Ukraine? What good is America to NATO? What good is America to the Indo-Pacific? What good are we now as a nation and for years to come…if we can’t take care of our own problems here at home?” said Senator Rubio. 

 

The foreign aid package will now head to the House of Representatives, where Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has confirmed he will halt the bill from reaching the floor for a vote. 

Senator Scott welcomed the news, claiming “Floridians want a secure border, inflation to cease and better-paying full-time jobs. The $95 BILLION bill just passed by the Senate doesn’t fix any of these problems. It will make them worse.”