WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) voted to approve a bipartisan emergency supplemental that provides an additional $4.6 billion to address the humanitarian crisis on the southern border. The legislation passed the Senate by a vote of 84 to 8. 

“The humanitarian crisis unfolding at the southern border does not reflect America’s values – we have to do better,” said Senator King. “The steps taken in this bipartisan agreement will help us ensure that every person in U.S. custody is treated humanely, and provide key resources to care for unaccompanied children. Additionally, I’m glad to see that this legislation includes additional funding for immigration judges, who will be able to address the backlog of asylum seekers and process their claims in a more timely fashion, so that those with approved claims can progress through the system and be given an opportunity to succeed in their new home. This is an important bipartisan step that will improve the situation at the border and reduce the numbers of asylum seekers in detention, and I hope that this plan can be swiftly passed and signed into law.”

Specifically, the legislation includes:

• $65 million for 30 immigration judge teams, courtroom space, and the Legal Orientation program. These additional resources will help expedite the process of adjudicating asylum claims.
• $2.88 billion for the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), the office charged with caring for unaccompanied children. If Congress does not act, ORR will run out of funding by the end of the month, which will worsen the conditions for children and migrants at the border.
• $1.3 billion to address inhumane conditions facing migrants being held at DHS facilities, including $112 million for food, clothing, air conditioning, and hygiene products, and $45 million for improved medical care
• $109 million to ensure the safety and well-being of migrant children, through post-release wrap-around services, legal services, and case management to place children in loving homes.
• A provision that bans any of the funds included in this supplemental from being shifted to other programs.