ICE, Border Patrol getting $70 billion in funding. Advocates say it comes with little oversight episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 15, 2026 · 10 MIN

ICE, Border Patrol getting $70 billion in funding. Advocates say it comes with little oversight

from Minnesota Now · host Minnesota Public Radio

President Donald Trump has signed off on a massive increase in funding for U.S. immigration enforcement. The legislation, called the Secure America Act, was approved by Congress last week, after a standoff between lawmakers. Democrats said they didn’t want to give more funding to the Department of Homeland Security after the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis this winter. But those negotiations fell apart, and now $70 billion will go to ICE and Border Patrol. Supporters say the investment will help the federal government enforce immigration laws and secure the border. Critics argue it gives too much power to the agency and not enough oversight. Heidi Altman is vice president of policy at the National Immigration Law Center. She joined Minnesota Now to talk about the bill and her concerns about what was left out.

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ICE, Border Patrol getting $70 billion in funding. Advocates say it comes with little oversight

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