Staff Reports
When President Biden and the Department of Homeland Security presented their budget proposal to Congress, lawmakers responded with skepticism, questioning the request for reduced funding and fewer detention beds during a tumultuous period at the border. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Tae Johnson attempted to alleviate concerns by suggesting that ICE required technological upgrades and policy adjustments, a notion met with skepticism.
In a surprising turn of events, just six months later, the Biden administration is now approaching Congress seeking additional funding for detention beds and deportation flights. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, however, expresses frustration, asserting that his immigration enforcement agencies have been consistently under-resourced. Critics argue that Mayorkas himself has played a role in reducing their funding over the past three years, consistently advocating for cuts to ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) funding, proposing the elimination of border wall funding, reduction of detention space, and reallocating funds towards catch-and-release policies.
Mayorkas changes tune on need for more border money after repeatedly seeking cuts https://t.co/B0joxLzsQo
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) November 24, 2023
Mayorkas is currently requesting a significant $14 billion in emergency funds for the border situation. Some of these funds are allocated to Health and Human Services to address the needs of a record number of illegal immigrant children, while others will support FEMA in assisting communities dealing with the influx of newcomers.
Adding to the financial requests, the Biden administration is also seeking funding to expedite asylum processing and issue work permits to illegal immigrants caught and released. President Biden, who previously opposed additional detention beds, is now requesting funds for both more detention space and deportation flights, a shift in stance considering Mr. Johnson's earlier statement that extra beds wouldn't address the problem.
Further complicating matters, Biden is seeking funds for 1,300 new Border Patrol agents, despite the existing challenge of filling currently funded positions. Senator Shelley Moore Capito voiced concerns about the attrition of 700 agents in the past year, highlighting apparent flaws in the hiring process.
A closer look at the financial history reveals that when Mayorkas assumed office in 2021, CBP had a budget of $19.3 billion. However, Mayorkas and Biden's initial budget proposal sought a $2.9 billion reduction, a move rejected by Congress, which approved $18.5 billion instead. This pattern of attempted budget cuts by Mayorkas for ICE and CBP, met with Congress consistently allocating more funds, has created a recurring budgetary tug-of-war.
The Biden administration's apparent struggle in navigating budgetary challenges for border security and immigration enforcement, coupled with reported leadership vacancies in both CBP and ICE, paints a picture of an administration grappling with the complexities of funding and organizational stability.
