Bonamici Introduces Legislation to Redirect $70B from ICE, CBP to Child Care

WASHINGTON, DC [7/23/26] - Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) introduced the Daycare Not Detentions Act to redirect $70 billion of funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to federal child care programs.

A year ago, Republicans passed H.R.1 and gave the Department of Homeland Security $170.7 billion for immigration enforcement. We have seen how that funding has been used to carry out mass deportations, terrorize communities, and incarcerate thousands of people, many with no criminal records, in detention centers. Earlier this year, instead of lowering costs or improving public safety or the lives of American families, Republicans gave an additional $70 billion of funding to ICE and CBP.

The terror from immigration enforcement actions will have lasting effects on children for generations to come. At the same time, Congress has continued to underinvest in programs that serve our nation's children.

"It's shameful that the Trump administration and their allies in Congress are spending billions of dollars on ICE and CBP to tear apart and terrorize families," said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. "Communities will be much safer and stronger if we instead made a generational investment in children and redirect this funding to federal programs that provide care and education for our youngest learners. I will continue doing all I can to fight against funding for dangerous immigration enforcement and advocate for our nation's children and a brighter future."

The Daycare Not Detentions Act would provide needed funding to support access to the following early childhood programs:

• $25.5 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (nearly triple current funding);
• $20 billion for the Child Care Entitlement to States (double current funding);
• $24 billion for Head Start (double current funding); and
• $500 million for the Preschool Development Block Grant (nearly double current funding).

The text of the Daycare Not Detentions Act can be read here.

The legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Dwight Evans (D-PA), Chuy Garcia (D-IL), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Emily Randall (D-WA), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL).

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