The Republican-controlled Senate approved a nearly $70 billion funding package for the Department of Homeland Security in a late-night vote, with the legislation now heading to the House. The package allocates $30 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations and nearly $20 billion for Border Patrol, funding the department's operations through 2029.

The 12-page bill contains minimal restrictions or oversight provisions typically included in congressional funding legislation. Democratic Senate leaders criticized the measure, with some calling it a "rotten bill," while immigration advocacy groups characterized it as providing unlimited options for enforcement spending.

The funding comes as the Trump administration works to fulfill campaign promises of large-scale deportation operations. Border czar Tom Homan indicated that enforcement actions would continue, including potential summer operations in New York City. The administration has installed new leadership at DHS and is hiring additional ICE agents while building more detention facilities.

This package adds to approximately $170 billion Congress previously approved for the department as part of a tax legislation package. The administration faces pressure to increase annual deportations to around 1 million, with first-year numbers falling below initial projections.

Senate Democrats attempted to add amendments to provide oversight and protect certain immigrant groups, including DACA recipients experiencing renewal delays, but these efforts failed. The funding was passed through the budget resolution process rather than traditional appropriations channels.

According to recent polling, about one in three U.S. adults know someone affected by immigration enforcement operations. The administration has shifted some tactics from public enforcement sweeps to behind-the-scenes policy changes affecting immigrant status and protections.