The Biden-Harris Administration has requested supplemental funding from Congress to strengthen border security and address the challenges posed by increased migration and the trafficking of fentanyl, according to a recent press release from the Department of Homeland Security. In an official release by Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas on Oct. 20, 2023, he urged Congress to equip the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with the necessary "resources and support" to fulfill its safety and security mission.
The supplemental funding request aims to fortify several key areas of border security and migration management. To counter the rising tide of fentanyl trafficking, the request includes funds for hiring 1,000 additional Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers and resources for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Cutting-edge technology is also planned for Southwest Border ports to enhance fentanyl detection capabilities. Additionally, the request seeks to strengthen border enforcement by adding 1,300 Border Patrol Agents and 300 Border Patrol Processing Coordinators, along with 1,600 Asylum Officers to expedite immigration processes.
Logistical and humanitarian considerations are also addressed in the supplemental funding request. Funding is sought for extra detention beds to facilitate the Administration's increased use of expedited removals and to provide surge capacity for unforeseen increases in border crossings. In the legal arena, the request includes provisions for hiring 1,470 additional attorneys and support staff to work alongside 375 new immigration judge teams, aiming to mitigate the backlog in immigration cases. For community support, an additional $1.4 billion in SSP grants is proposed to aid local governments and non-profits in offering essential services like food and shelter to recently arrived migrants. The funding request also includes provisions for third countries to undertake their own repatriation flights, offering a multi-dimensional approach to border security and migration challenges.
"As this time of unprecedented hemispheric and global challenges, we must come together to strengthen our ability to protect the American people," said Secretary Mayorkas. He emphasized the need for additional resources to manage the "unprecedented flow of hemispheric migration" and to counteract transnational criminal organizations involved in fentanyl trafficking.
The proposed funding supports ongoing initiatives that have shown progress. Since May 12, DHS has processed 110,000 individuals under expedited removal procedures and completed an average of 4,000 cases each week involving noncitizens who have claimed a credible fear of persecution—a figure double the previous high.
