Washington, D.C., 22 May 2026
Republican senators halted a major immigration proposal by Donald Trump, which included a controversial $1.8 billion compensation fund.
The proposed legislation, which sought to allocate approximately $70 billion for immigration enforcement, border security, and customs authorities, failed to pass in the Senate. The package also included a $1.8 billion compensation fund intended for alleged victims of political persecution during the Biden administration.
The compensation fund, part of a settlement between Trump and the Justice Department, has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats, who labeled it a 'slush fund.' Republicans, meanwhile, expressed concerns that the proposal could alienate voters ahead of the midterm elections.
"I hold that for a giant stupidity," Trump told Spectrum News, defending the fund. "The American people will outright reject this."