Top Trump Cabinet officials tell Congress they need money to continue securing border

President Donald Trump’s newly sworn-in top Cabinet members are making a strong push for more resources from Congress to bolster the administration’s efforts to secure the border and increase deportations. In a letter exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Attorney General Pam Bondi urged top appropriators in both the House and Senate to allocate additional funds for border security.

The trio emphasized the overwhelming support among the American people for sealing the borders and restoring a lawful immigration system. They stressed that while the costs of these measures may appear high, they are minimal compared to the long-term consequences of maintaining the current status quo.

The Cabinet officials outlined a list of resources required to maintain the current level of border security, including more law enforcement officers, military personnel, aircraft, transportation for deportations, construction materials for a permanent barrier at the border, additional immigration judges, and detention facilities for illegal immigrants awaiting deportation.

With a spending bill deadline approaching on March 14, Congress faces the challenge of reaching a consensus on border funding, as a 60-vote majority will be needed in the Senate. The Republican party will need Democratic support to pass a spending bill with satisfactory border funding.

In addition to the letter from Noem, Hegseth, and Bondi, congressional Republicans are working to finalize a budget deal that includes provisions for border security. However, there is disagreement within the GOP on whether to pursue a single comprehensive bill or a two-bill approach to address President Trump’s priorities.

Reconciliation, which allows the party in power to advance its agenda with a simple majority vote, is being considered as a potential strategy to pass the budget deal. The House of Representatives already operates on a simple majority threshold.

Fox News Digital reached out to key members of Senate and House committees on appropriations and budget, but did not immediately receive responses. The push for additional resources for border security comes at a critical time as the administration continues its efforts to secure the border and enforce immigration laws.

Julia Johnson, a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, is leading coverage of the U.S. Senate. She brings a wealth of experience from her previous role as a politics reporter at the Washington Examiner. Follow Julia’s reporting on Twitter at @JuliaaJohnson_ and send tips to Julia.Johnson@fox.com.