Congress Approves DHS Funding Bill, Excludes Funds for ICE and Border Patrol
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives on Thursday approved a funding bill, previously passed by the Senate, to finance much of the Department of Homeland Security, ending the record-breaking 75-day administrative shutdown of this vast federal agency. President Donald Trump had urged lawmakers to pass the bill and promised to sign it into law. The bill will allow DHS to reopen without providing new funds for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or the U.S. Border Patrol, as Democrats push for changes to immigration enforcement policies. Republicans plan to seek funding for these agencies separately. The House's action came just ahead of a critical deadline. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin had warned lawmakers that if funds were not approved by Thursday, emergency funding would run out, leaving thousands of workers unpaid.