ICE retains $240 billion in funding despite Texas shift
New congressional leadership vows oversight of the agency even as the White House signals continued enforcement.
By Tomas Rahman ·
Federal immigration enforcement agencies will retain approximately $240 billion in funding for the remainder of the current term.
This financial commitment was established by Congress in 2025 and 2026, effectively providing the agency with a blank check to sustain its mass deportation operations. The funding level makes the agency the highest financed federal law enforcement body in the nation. In the days leading up to the midterm elections, voters in Texas marked a significant political change. A memorial for Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Houston resident killed by federal agents earlier this year, was visited by hundreds of people leaving their voting stickers on the site. The election resulted in the state's first Latina governor, Democrat Gina Hinojosa, and the election of its first Democratic U.S. senator in nearly 40 years. The Texas House of Representatives also changed majority control.
Exit polling identified immigration policy as a top issue for voters. Artemio Muñiz of the Texas Federation of Hispanic Republicans stated that the Hispanic community became frustrated with anti-immigrant policies. Counties along the U.S.-Mexico border flipped to Democratic control after supporting the Republican candidate in 2024. Muñiz argued that effective outreach by the Republican Party requires a reasonable solution for immigration, including secured borders and a legal pathway for long-term residents. Governor-elect Hinojosa is now facing calls to end the state's partnership with the agency. César Espinosa of the Houston-based advocacy group FIEL said that change can happen on day one. He also urged the new legislature to pursue driver licenses for undocumented immigrants. Houston's mayor has already begun reducing police cooperation with federal agents.
The incoming Congress is preparing to scrutinize the agency's operations. Rep. Robert Garcia of California, who will chair the House Oversight Committee, advised Republicans to "Lawyer up" on Election Day. He plans to investigate issues related to agency accountability. Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, who is expected to chair the House Homeland Security Committee, said the agency must have accountability for its staff. He cited instances where agents killed, assaulted, and incarcerated individuals. Thompson wants to legally require body-worn cameras for agents and ban face coverings. Naureen Shah of the ACLU suggested that Congressional oversight via subpoenas would force the agency to be careful. She said the agency must fear losing funding and facing hard questions before a public audience.
The White House has signaled that enforcement will continue despite the election results. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin posted a three-word statement on social media the day after the vote: "Deportations will continue." Vice President JD Vance attributed the Republican losses to concerns over the economy, inflation, and the war with Iran. He did not list immigration enforcement as a cause for the losses. Vance said he is open to focusing on businesses that hire undocumented workers but rejected the idea of amnesty. President Trump stated he would welcome the nickname "Mr. Veto" following the results. Stephen Miller, who was promoted to White House chief of staff on Friday, replacing Susie Wiles, remains a central figure in the administration's deportation project. Miller was previously involved in the child separation policy and the conversion of warehouses into detention centers.
Private companies that contract with the agency for detention services held quarterly investor calls the day after the election. Lucibeth Mayberry, president of CoreCivic, addressed the impact of the midterms on operations. She noted that the agency has begun increasing enforcement activity and has secure funding to do so. She advised the administration to move quickly on purchasing new detention centers. The Trump administration has spent billions to expand these facilities, which have faced criticism for dire conditions. A record number of deaths have occurred in detention since the start of the current presidential term.
