Full Breakdown
Mullin Defends FY 2027 DHS Budget Amid Immigration, Enforcement and Funding Disputes
6/3/2026, 10:15:31 PM
The Hearing and the Budget Request
On Tuesday, Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin appeared before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security to defend the department’s fiscal-year 2027 budget request. The request, a multi-billion-dollar proposal that includes $18.5 billion for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and $10 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), was presented amid intense questioning over immigration enforcement, court-order compliance, and the department’s handling of sanctuary-city policies. Mullin’s testimony preceded a scheduled appearance before the House Homeland Security Committee the following day.
Background and Context
Mullin, a former Oklahoma congressman, was appointed by former President Donald Trump after the dismissal of Kristi Noem. His confirmation hearing in March positioned him as a “steadying hand” for a department plagued by controversies over border policy, detainee treatment, and politicized disaster aid. The current budget fight coincides with Senate deliberations on legislation that would fund immigration-enforcement agencies through the end of Trump’s term, a maneuver designed to bypass Democratic demands for restraints. Separate Republican opposition to a $1.776 billion settlement fund for Trump allies has stalled that legislation.
Key Figures and Groups
- Markwayne Mullin – Secretary of Homeland Security.
- Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) – Chair of the Senate subcommittee, vocal critic of CBP airport plans.
- Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) – Lead interrogator on ICE court-order compliance and detainee conditions.
- Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) – Raised questions on work-visa fees and quotas.
- U.S. Travel Association and major airlines – Opposed CBP officer withdrawals from airports.
- ICE detainees at the Newark, New Jersey facility – Subject of health-and-food-quality complaints.
- White House border czar Tom Homan and former adviser Stephen Miller – Referenced in debates over policy direction.
Data and Statistics
- $118.4 billion (per Senate testimony) or $63 billion (per a separate report) requested for DHS FY 2027.
- 275,000 DHS employees, including 18.5 billion earmarked for CBP and 10 billion for ICE.
- 700 detainees housed at the Newark ICE facility (capacity 1,000).
- 76-day federal shutdown—longest in U.S. history—has strained personnel resources.
- $1.776 billion settlement fund pending congressional approval.
Official Statements and Responses
Mullin asserted that DHS “will enforce the law” and “never break the Constitution,” emphasizing that the department “does not separate blue states from red states.” He described the lack of funding for CBP and ICE as “absolutely appalling.” Murray demanded proof of training reforms for agents, while Murphy pressed Mullin on ICE’s alleged court-order violations and on reports of “spoiled food, delayed medical treatment, sewage backups” at the Newark facility. Collins asked whether DHS would be flexible on high fees for certain work visas. Republican members generally praised Mullin’s adherence to the rule of law.
Criticism and Opposition
Murray labeled Mullin’s proposed removal of CBP officers from “sanctuary-city” airports “insane,” warning of an “economic crisis for blue and red states.” Murphy highlighted detainee mistreatment allegations and argued that ICE “has likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have in their entire existence.” The travel industry warned that airport withdrawals could disrupt international travel ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Advocacy groups questioned whether DHS agents are currently following the newly negotiated training standards.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
- Budget figure: Senate testimony cites $118.4 billion, while another source reports a $63 billion request.
- ICE court-order violations: Murphy attributes recent violations to Mullin’s tenure; other testimony notes many occurred under former Secretary Noem.
- Training standards: No publicly available evidence confirming implementation of the negotiated reforms.
- CBP airport plan: Mullin has not presented a concrete proposal, leaving the scope of any potential withdrawal unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I want to be very clear, Secretary Mullin, I'm watching closely to see what steps you now take as the new DHS secretary,” — Sen. Patty Murray
- “Your plan to withdraw CBP officers from airports in cities that don't roll over for Trump, that is insane,” — Sen. Patty Murray
- “When you start saying it's unconstitutional, what's unconstitutional that we're doing? We swore to uphold the Constitution, just like you swore to the Constitution,” — Sec. Markwayne Mullin
- “Under Mullen, ICE has likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence.” — Sen. Chris Murphy
- “I said I will never break the Constitution, and we will enforce the law,” — Sec. Markwayne Mullin
- “As long as we continue to have this partnership with local and state law enforcement then there will be no need to do so,” — Sec. Markwayne Mullin
What’s Next
Mullin is slated to testify before the House Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday. Congress must finalize the FY 2027 DHS budget before the October start of the fiscal year, while pending legislation on long-term funding for immigration-enforcement agencies remains stalled. Ongoing scrutiny of ICE’s court-order compliance, the sanctuary-city airport proposal, and the newly announced USCIS green-card filing rule are expected to shape subsequent hearings and legislative action.
