"GREAT NEWS: Senate Passes $70 Billion for ICE" — Yes, But It's Not Law Yet

"GREAT NEWS: Senate Passes $70 Billion for

 ICE" — Yes, But It's Not Law Yet

 The Senate just delivered a major win for American sovereignty. With a 50-48 vote, Republicans advanced a budget resolution that unlocks nearly $70 billion for ICE and CBP, arming our enforcement agencies with the resources needed to secure the border and restore order inside our country.

This breakthrough clears the path for serious action on mass deportations, ending the chaos of open borders that plagued us for years. No more excuses, no more half-measures—our laws will finally be enforced.

President Trump’s agenda is moving forward despite the resistance. This is what putting America First looks like, delivering real results for hardworking citizens who deserve a safe and secure nation.The Republican Army post is accurate on the vote, but it skips the fine print. The US Senate did pass a resolution early Thursday, April 24, 2026, to unlock $70 billion for ICE and CBP — and Democrats did try to block it. The vote was 50-48 at 2:17 am after a nearly six-hour "vote-a-rama."
But this is not final funding. It's a budget blueprint, not a check. Think of it as unlocking the door, not wiring the money.
Here's what actually happened.
The voteWhat passed: Senate Budget Resolution for FY2026-2029, setting aside $70 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection over three years — through the end of Trump's term in January 2029Vote: 50-48, party-line except Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted no with DemocratsNext step: Goes to the House, then committees must write the actual spending bill, then Trump must sign itSenate Majority Leader John Thune called it "the largest investment in border security in American history." Democrats called it a blank check.
Reuters reported: "U.S. Senate Republicans voted on Thursday to advance a $70 billion plan to fund the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agencies for the next three years, ignoring demands from Democrats for guardrails."
Why Democrats were blocking itDHS has been in a partial shutdown since mid-February 2026 — more than nine weeks. Congress funded everything except ICE and Border Patrol.
Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, demanded three guardrails after two US citizens were fatally shot by ICE agents in Minneapolis in February:
Judicial warrants required before entering private homesBody cameras for all ICE/CBP officersBan on enforcement at schools, churches, and hospitalsRepublicans refused, saying it would "handcuff law enforcement." Negotiations collapsed, so Republicans used budget reconciliation — a procedure that needs only 51 votes, not 60, and cannot be filibustered.
What the $70 billion is forThis is on top of money already passed last year ($130 billion for ICE/CBP separate from annual appropriations). The new $70 billion, according to the resolution summary:
20,000 new ICE deportation officers10 new detention facilities (the CLEAR Act calls for 20 facilities total)150 additional deportation flights per week — the "Get the Deportation Flights Ready" line in your post is literal. ICE Air Operations currently runs about 30-40 flights weekly; this would quadruple capacityNew surveillance towers, drones, and 700 miles of border wall system upgradesBonuses for CBP agents who stay through 2028The Senate also unanimously passed (98-0) a Graham amendment to prioritize deportation of adults convicted of rape, murder, or sexual abuse of a minor.
"Democrats trying to block" — trueDuring the vote-a-rama, Democrats offered 12 amendments to redirect the money:
restore food assistancelower healthcare costsfund school mealsprotect consumers from tariff price hikesAll failed. Republicans framed each as "defunding ICE." Democrats framed the whole bill as ignoring families' real costs — a Reuters/Ipsos poll this week found 54% of Americans say their household finances have worsened due to gas prices, and healthcare tops their concerns.
Can deportation flights start tomorrow?No. The resolution is non-binding. The House must pass it (expected next week — House GOP has demanded ICE funding to end the DHS shutdown), then the Appropriations Committee writes the actual bill, then it goes through reconciliation, then Trump signs.
Thune says he wants it on Trump's desk by end of April. Even then, hiring 20,000 officers takes 12-18 months. ICE told Congress in March it can surge flights within 90 days if funded.
Tom Homan, Trump's Border Czar, said Thursday morning on Fox: "That $70 billion means we can finally get the planes in the air every day. We're going to the sanctuary cities first."
Bottom lineDid the Senate pass a resolution unlocking $70 billion for ICE and CBP that Democrats tried to block? Yes — 50-48, early April 24, 2026, after Democrats spent nine weeks holding up DHS funding to demand new limits on ICE.
Does that mean deportation flights are funded today? Not yet. It's the first step in a fast-track process designed to bypass the filibuster. The money is likely — Republicans control both chambers and the White House — but it still needs House approval and a final bill.
The post's "Get the Deportation Flights Ready Boys" captures the mood on the right: after months of shutdown, they see this as the green light. Legally, it's amber — the Senate cleared the path, but the cash hasn't left the Treasury.