An immigration bill pending in Congress would cost more than $3.2 billion to implement, according to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency memo reported by Politico. said it would require more than $3.2 billion in additional funding to implement the Laken Riley Act, according to a memo obtained by POLITICO that the agency prepared last year. The memo said the legislation as written would require an additional 60,000 to 70,000 detention beds and would need an additional 61 federal employees, which officials estimated would cost about $15 million is fiscal year 2025. ICE said the legislation would impede federal government operations by requiring state attorneys general to sign off on immigration decisions.
The memo was sent in response to questions posed by Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA), the lead sponsor of the House bill. The House passed the legislation last year, but it stalled in the Democratic-controlled Senate. The bill, which would mandate the detention of undocumented immigrants who are charged with lower-level crimes like theft or burglary, has been passed by the House again and has advanced in the Senate with bipartisan support, though Democrats want to amend it. One Republican was not turned off by the price tag.
“We’re prepared to give ICE the resources it needs to properly enforce federal law and protect American families, both through the appropriations and reconciliation processes," said Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), who introduced the Senate version of the legislation. ICE said the bill would need additional funding for support staff, removal flights and additional immigration attorneys.