Harris Applauds Passage of Secure America Act to Fully Fund ICE and CBP

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Mark Harris (NC-08) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed S. 2, the Secure America Act, which provides historic, multi-year funding for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through Fiscal Year 2029. The bill now heads to President Trump's desk.

"In passing the Secure America Act, House Republicans are fully funding the brave men and women of ICE and CBP through the remainder of President Trump's term," said Congressman Harris. "For months, Democrats held critical DHS funding hostage in an effort to weaken the law enforcement agencies responsible for securing our border, enforcing our immigration laws, and protecting American families. At a time when our nation faces serious threats at home and abroad, playing political games with national security is unacceptable.

"After four years of open-border policies, ICE and CBP need the tools and resources to remove criminal illegal aliens, combat drug smuggling and human trafficking, and keep dangerous individuals out of our communities.

"Today's vote makes clear that House Republicans stand with law enforcement, support securing our border, and are committed to giving President Trump the resources he needs to keep the American people safe."

BACKGROUND:

• The Secure America Act provides $69.55 billion for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Department of Homeland Security through Fiscal Year 2029.
  
• Specifically, the Secure America Act:
  • Provides more than $26 billion for CBP, including investments in Border Patrol agents, field operations officers, support personnel, training, equipment, mission support, and immigration enforcement work.
  • Provides more than $38 billion for ICE, including personnel, removal operations, transportation, facilities, 287(g) partnerships, attorneys, technology, and enforcement operations.
  • Provides $3.45 billion for technology and equipment to combat illicit narcotics, including fentanyl and its precursor chemicals, along with surveillance technology, air and marine upgrades, and other border security resources.
  • Provides $108.5 million for child exploitation investigators, forensic analysts, victim identification work, and training for federal, state, and local law enforcement.
    
• After Democrats blocked bipartisan appropriations for ICE and CBP, Republicans used the budget reconciliation process to provide long-term funding for the border and immigration enforcement agencies responsible for protecting American families.
• Under President Trump, illegal border crossings have fallen to historic lows. In May, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced a full year of zero releases at the border.