Trump scores major win as Senate approves massive ICE funding package

The US Senate has passed a $70 billion immigration enforcement package after Republicans overcame weeks of internal divisions over a controversial Justice Department fund backed by President Donald Trump.

The measure, approved early Friday by a 52-47 vote, will fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and border patrol operations for the remainder of Trump’s term. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for final approval.

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Senate Republicans spent more than 18 hours voting through amendments and procedural motions before securing passage. Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski was the only Republican to vote against the bill.

A major point of contention was a proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” Justice Department fund, which critics argued could benefit Trump allies and potentially compensate people involved in the January 6 Capitol riot.

Despite resistance from several Republicans, the fund remained in the package.

Trump defended the proposal earlier this week, saying: “As far as I’m concerned, it was a beautiful thing.”

Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer unsuccessfully attempted to remove the fund, while Republican Senator Thom Tillis also pushed to block it before eventually backing the final bill.