WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate is set to vote this afternoon on a supplemental border spending bill that would provide $4.59 billion for emergency border resources.
The House version of the bill, which passed Tuesday, includes provisions to address the treatment of children in U.S. immigration custody after widespread reports of inhumane, unsanitary conditions. The Senate version includes provisions for much-needed humanitarian resources at the border, but it does not similarly address the situation of children held in immigration facilities or restrict the funds to ensure they are used for humanitarian purposes.
“What’s happening to children in the care of U.S. immigration authorities is unconscionable. The House made the right call in its bill by providing the supplemental funding, directly addressing the treatment of migrant children and ensuring the funds are not redirected for other purposes. We hope the Senate follows suit,” said Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum. “Ensuring the safety of children in our care is not a partisan issue. Congress should unite around a compromise bill that addresses humanitarian concerns and protects children.”