Democrats say the nearly completed deal on a fiscal year 2018 spending package will prevent President Trump from building a concrete wall, implementing new border wall technology, or increasing the number of interior immigration enforcement agents or beds needed to detain those who come to the U.S. illegally.
Border security funding was among the big sticking points in the $1.3 trillion fiscal 2018 spending deal.
Democrats and Republicans reached an accord Wednesday on the matter, and agreed to President Trump’s $1.6 billion request for border security, with limits on how the money can be spent.
According to Democrats, the deal includes:
- $641 million for about 33 miles of new border fencing that excludes building a concrete wall, according to a Democratic aide with knowledge of the deal. The funding would pay for levees and fences that were previously authorized by Congress in the 2006 Secure Fence Act.
- Restrictions that prevent new fencing technology, including the models touted by President Trump in a recent border visit, according to the aide. It would only allow “the same see-through fencing technology that has existed for the last decade,” the aide said.
- $1.296 billion for border security technology, which is $196 million above the president’s request.
- No new “ICE” agents. Democrats say the agreement prevents funding for new Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who are responsible for apprehending illegal immigrants in the interior of the country.
- No new beds for detainees. Democrats say the deal prohibits spending on additional beds at detention centers used to house detained illegal immigrants.
- Extra money for “pedestrian fencing,” that needs replacement along the border, which would prevent building a wall in those areas.
- Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge protection. The bill would prohibit Trump’s proposed wall along the 2,000 acre refuge in southern Texas.
