In a challenge to what he describes as Congressional extremism, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) has taken a firm stand against the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2025, voting against the proposed bill, H.R. 8752, which would see drastic funding cuts to border operations and impact Arizona communities. Gallego's opposition roots in concern for slowed response times, increased backlogs, and strained local resources due to these financial reductions. "We need bipartisan, comprehensive solutions that secure our border and fix our broken immigration system. This bill does none of those things which is why I voted against it," the representative explained in a statement he released following his vote.
The bill in question specifically proposes to cut funding to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) by $1.4 billion and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by $168.7 million. Furthermore, it aims to eliminate the Shelter and Services Program (SSP), which has provided over $86 million in aid to Arizona's border communities over the past two years. Gallego highlights that these measures will likely increase street releases and place a heavier load on local governments and nonprofits already contending with the effects of immigration influxes.
Rep. Gallego's past initiatives in support of Arizona's border communities underscore his commitment to resolving the border crisis more effectively. Securing over $2 million in emergency funding from the Department of Homeland Security and rallying for significant reforms to FEMA's Shelter and Services Program, Gallego has been proactive in addressing the challenges faced on the ground. His efforts include strategizing with local officials, agricultural stakeholders, and business owners to mitigate the economic repercussions of port closures and escalating migration issues.
Gallego has also been instrumental in introducing legislation aimed at curtailing the flow of fentanyl across the border. Signed into law in April, the Buck Stops Here Act authorizes measures to identify and prevent monetary instruments from being used for the illicit drug trade. Additionally, Gallego announced significant funding from SSP to support Arizona's border communities in April, followed by the introduction of acts to significantly speed up migrant processing.
