The Obama administration on Tuesday announced it is asking Congress for $3.7 billion to handle the influx of undocumented children crossing into the United States from Mexico.
The administration's proposal would give the DHS a total of $1.1 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). That includes $116 million for transportation costs; $109 million for enforcement efforts like expanding the Border Enforcement Security Task Force program; and $879 million for the detention, removal and prosecution of apprehended undocumented adults traveling with children.
DHS would also get $433 million for Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Of that funding, $364 million would pay for operational costs like overtime pay for Border Patrol agents and contract services to care for children while in CBP custody. Another $29 million would help CBP expand its role in Border Enforcement Security Task Force programs and increase information-sharing among law enforcement agencies. CBP would also get $39.4 million to increase air surveillance capabilities.
The administration is asking for $64 million to hire addition immigration judge teams, expand courtroom capacity, and provide legal representation services to the children, among other things. It's asking for $300 million for the State Department mostly to support efforts to repatriate and reintegrate migrants to Central America.
Under the proposal, HHS would get $1.8 billion to provide the appropriate care for unaccompanied children, consistent with federal law, as well as maintain services for refugees. For instance, HHS provides medical response activities for unaccompanied children at Border Patrol facilities.
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