Senate Passes Immigration Bill After Feud Over $1.8 Billion Fund

The U.S. Senate passed a $70 billion immigration enforcement funding bill early Friday, overcoming a rebellion by Republican dissidents over a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” that President Donald Trump had planned. The legislation, funding deportations through Trump’s term, heads to the House for a vote next week. Led by Senator Bill Cassidy, dissident Republicans had held the bill hostage, ultimately stripping out funding for Trump’s White House ballroom and securing a pledge to scrap the controversial fund. However, attempts to permanently ban the fund in law failed on the Senate floor, signaling Trump retains significant influence in the chamber despite growing internal party friction. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche informed Congress the Department of Justice would cancel the settlement fund, but some lawmakers sought a legislative prohibition. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer criticized the failure to enact a ban, calling it “a permission slip” for the administration.