Story perspectives

Senate Rejects Ban on $1.8 B Immigration Fund

6/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, added amendments to a $70 billion immigration bill to ban the $1.8 billion fund, seeing proposal fail 49-50 with Republicans Susan Collins, Jon Husted and Dan Sullivan joined Democrats, leaving fund unchanged.
Justice Department said it will not move forward with the fund, Todd Blanche saying administration abandoned.
President Donald Trump said he “loves” the fund, prompting dispute to stall Senate’s vote on $70 billion funding package.

History

Historical Context

President Bill Clinton signed the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act in 1996, effective April 1 1997, which drove annual deportations from about 50,000 to over 200,000. The law’s funding battles stalled reform, and today Senators Chuck Schumer, Susan Collins and Dan Sullivan dispute a $70 billion immigration package, echoing the 1996 clash.

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Story summary

Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, added amendments to a $70 billion immigration bill to ban the $1.8 billion fund, seeing proposal fail 49-50 with Republicans Susan Collins, Jon Husted and Dan Sullivan joined Democrats, leaving fund unchanged.
Justice Department said it will not move forward with the fund, Todd Blanche saying administration abandoned.
President Donald Trump said he “loves” the fund, prompting dispute to stall Senate’s vote on $70 billion funding package.

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