Trump seeks $4.5 billion to manage border crisis

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump asked Congress for $4.5 billion in emergency funds to address what he described as a “humanitarian crisis” at the U.S.-Mexican border.

The request is likely to run into opposition from Democrats concerned about the administration’s approach to immigration.

“The situation becomes more dire each day,” Russell Vought, acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, wrote to congressional leaders in the White House request. “The migration flow and the resulting humanitarian crisis is rapidly overwhelming the ability of the Federal Government to respond.”

Democrats said they would review the request but raised concerns. More than $150 million of the money would be used to accommodate “significant increases” in immigrants detained.

“The Trump administration appears to want much of this $4.5 billion emergency supplemental request to double down on cruel and ill-conceived policies,” said Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., who chairs the House Appropriations Committee. “Locking up people who pose no threat to the community for ever-longer periods of time is not a solution to the problems at the border.”

The funding would include $3.3 billion for humanitarian assistance, $1.1 billion for border operations and $178 million for “mission support,” the White House said.

Border Patrol agents apprehended more than 92,000 immigrants trying to cross the border illegally in March, a 12-year high.

Alabama Rep. Mike Rogers, the top Republican on the Homeland Security Committee, called the request “an opportunity for House Democrats to put down their partisan rhetoric and embrace the need for more DHS funding.”