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.

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.