Key Takeaways
• House GOP budget allocates $46.5B for border wall and hires 18,000 new immigration enforcement officers.
• New $1,000 asylum fee and increased enforcement fund major tax cuts, including permanent 2017 TCJA extension.
• Bill cuts $230B from SNAP, raises debt limit by $4 trillion, and faces Senate review after narrow House passage.
The House of Representatives has passed a sweeping budget bill known as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” marking a major step in President Trump’s second-term agenda. This legislation, approved by a razor-thin margin after an all-night session on May 23, 2025, ties together strict immigration enforcement measures and large tax cuts. The House GOP budget aims to use funds raised from new immigrant measures to help pay for these tax cuts, making it a central piece of the Republican policy platform.
This article explains what the bill does, how it affects immigration and tax policy, and what it could mean for families, workers, and immigrants in the United States 🇺🇸. We’ll also look at the next steps for the bill and what different groups are saying about its impact.
What’s in the House GOP Budget?
The House GOP budget is a massive, 1,000-page bill that brings together many parts of President Trump’s plans for the United States 🇺🇸. The bill includes:
– Major tax cuts and extensions for individuals, families, and businesses
– Strict new immigration measures that raise money for the government
– Big changes to social programs like food stamps (SNAP)
– Energy policy changes and a higher debt limit
The most important feature is how the bill uses money from new immigrant measures to help pay for the tax cuts. This approach has drawn strong reactions from both supporters and critics.
Immigration Measures: Funding and Enforcement
A large part of the House GOP budget focuses on immigration enforcement and border security. The bill sets aside billions of dollars for these efforts, including:
- $46.5 billion for border wall construction to restart and finish the border wall along the southern border
- $4.1 billion to hire more Border Patrol agents and customs officers, including 3,000 new Border Patrol agents and 5,000 new customs officers
- $2.1 billion for signing and retention bonuses to help recruit and keep Border Patrol agents
- Funding for 10,000 new ICE officers and investigators to increase enforcement inside the country
- Resources for detention centers to hold up to 100,000 people at a time, supporting the goal of deporting up to 1 million immigrants each year
- A new $1,000 asylum application fee for anyone seeking asylum in the United States 🇺🇸, which is the first time such a fee would be charged
These measures are designed to make it harder for people to enter or stay in the country without permission, and to raise money for the government at the same time.
NumbersUSA, a group that supports strict immigration controls, praised these parts of the bill. They said the bill “delivers on the promise of building the border wall, 10,000 ICE officers, detention beds, historic funding for Customs and Border Patrol and a tax on money illegal aliens send out of the country.” According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these steps are meant to help the Trump administration deport millions of immigrants who entered the country in recent years.
How Immigration Measures Fund Tax Cuts
The House GOP budget uses the money raised from these new immigrant measures to help pay for a wide range of tax cuts. Here’s how the process works:
- Asylum application fees and fines: The new $1,000 fee for asylum applications is expected to raise billions of dollars over time.
- Increased enforcement and deportations: By detaining and deporting more people, the government expects to spend less on social services for undocumented immigrants.
- Other fees and penalties: The bill also includes taxes on money sent out of the country by people who are in the United States 🇺🇸 without legal status.
All of this money is used to help offset the cost of the tax cuts included in the bill.
Major Tax Cuts and Extensions
The main goal of the House GOP budget is to make the tax cuts from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) permanent. Without this change, more than 62% of taxpayers would see their taxes go up in 2026. The bill also adds several new tax breaks and savings programs.
Permanent Extension of 2017 Tax Cuts
- Makes the 2017 tax cuts permanent, which were set to expire at the end of 2025
- Prevents tax increases for most Americans starting in 2026
New Tax Exemptions
- No federal income tax on tips for service workers (like restaurant servers, bartenders, and beauty workers) earning less than $160,000 per year, through 2028
- No federal income tax on overtime pay through 2028
- $10,000 deduction on interest for auto loans for cars made in the United States 🇺🇸, until 2029
Enhanced Deductions and Credits
- Standard deduction increased by $1,000 for individuals (to $16,000) and $2,000 for joint filers (to $32,000) from 2025 through 2028
- Child Tax Credit increased from $2,000 to $2,500 per child through 2028
- State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap raised from $10,000 to $40,000 per household for incomes up to $500,000
- Estate tax exemption increased to $15 million, starting in 2026
New Savings Programs
- “Trump Accounts” for children: Babies born between 2024 and 2028 get a $1,000 federal contribution
- Parents can add up to $5,000 per year to these accounts
- Funds can be used for education, job training, or a first home when the child turns 18
These tax cuts and new programs are designed to help families, workers, and businesses keep more of their money and save for the future.
Fiscal Impact and Offsets
While the tax cuts are popular with many, they come with a high price tag. The House GOP budget allows for a $4.5 trillion increase in the deficit over the next ten years, mainly because of the tax cuts. To help pay for these tax cuts, the bill includes several offset measures:
- $230 billion in cuts to SNAP (food stamps) over 10 years, by making it harder to qualify
- New work requirements for adults aged 55-64 and children to get SNAP benefits
- States must pay 5% of SNAP costs starting in 2028 (currently, the federal government pays 100%)
- Rollback of clean energy tax breaks passed during President Biden’s administration, except for nuclear energy
- $4 trillion increase to the debt limit, which the Treasury Secretary says is needed by the end of July
These changes are meant to reduce government spending and help balance the cost of the tax cuts, but they have sparked strong debate.
What Happens Next?
The House passed the bill by just one vote after a long night of debate and last-minute changes. The bill now moves to the Senate, where it will likely face more changes before it can become law. House Speaker Mike Johnson had hoped to send the bill to the Senate by Memorial Day.
Democrats in Congress have strongly opposed the bill, especially because of the deep cuts to Medicaid and food stamps. They argue that these cuts will hurt low-income families and children, while the tax cuts mostly help the wealthy.
Reactions from Stakeholders
Many groups have spoken out about the House GOP budget, both for and against.
Supporters
- NumbersUSA supports the immigration measures, saying they will help enforce the law and reduce illegal immigration.
- American Exploration & Production Council CEO Anne Bradbury praised the energy parts of the bill, saying it will help American energy companies by removing regulations and taxes.
- DoorDash CEO Tony Xu welcomed the tax break on tips, saying it will help millions of service workers keep more of their earnings.
- Americans for Prosperity Chief Government Affairs Officer Brent Gardner said making the Trump tax cuts permanent will help the economy grow and avoid a big tax increase.
Critics
- Democratic lawmakers say the bill’s cuts to Medicaid and food stamps will hurt the most vulnerable Americans.
- Some tax policy experts warn that the bill adds to the deficit and makes the tax code more complicated.
- Immigrant rights groups argue that the new asylum fee and increased enforcement will make it harder for people fleeing danger to find safety in the United States 🇺🇸.
What Does This Mean for Immigrants and Families?
The House GOP budget could have a big impact on immigrants, families, and workers in the United States 🇺🇸.
For Immigrants
- Higher costs to seek asylum: The new $1,000 fee could make it much harder for people fleeing violence or persecution to apply for protection.
- More enforcement and deportations: With more money for ICE officers and detention centers, the government could detain and deport more people, including those who have lived in the country for years.
- Longer waits and more paperwork: More enforcement could mean longer processing times for all immigration cases.
For Families and Workers
- Tax cuts and new savings options: Many families will benefit from the higher standard deduction, bigger child tax credit, and new Trump Accounts for children.
- Service workers: People who earn tips or work overtime could see lower taxes, helping them keep more of their pay.
- Low-income families: Cuts to SNAP and new work requirements could make it harder for some families to get food assistance.
Broader Implications
The House GOP budget is part of a larger debate about the future of immigration and tax policy in the United States 🇺🇸. By tying strict immigration enforcement to tax cuts, the bill reflects the priorities of the current Republican leadership.
Tax Foundation analysis shows that while the bill prevents tax increases for most people, it also adds complexity to the tax code and leaves out some pro-growth policies. The bill’s fate now depends on what happens in the Senate, where changes are likely.
Practical Guidance and Next Steps
If you are an immigrant, family, or worker who could be affected by these changes, here are some steps you can take:
- Stay informed about the bill’s progress in the Senate. The final version could be different from what the House passed.
- If you are seeking asylum, be prepared for possible new fees and longer waits. You can find the latest information and official forms on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.
- Families and workers should review how the tax changes could affect their finances. Consider speaking with a tax professional if you have questions about deductions, credits, or new savings accounts.
- If you receive SNAP or other benefits, check with your local agency about possible changes to eligibility or work requirements.
Where to Find More Information
For the most up-to-date information on immigration forms, visit the USCIS Forms page. To learn more about the House GOP budget and its impact, you can also check the official House Budget Committee website.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the House GOP budget marks a turning point in how immigration and tax policy are linked in the United States 🇺🇸. The coming weeks will show how these changes play out in the Senate and what they mean for millions of people across the country.
Key Takeaways:
- The House GOP budget uses money from new immigrant measures to help pay for tax cuts.
- The bill includes strict immigration enforcement, new asylum fees, and expanded detention.
- Major tax cuts and new savings programs are included, but social programs like SNAP face cuts.
- The bill now moves to the Senate, where more changes are expected.
- Immigrants, families, and workers should stay informed and prepare for possible changes.
By understanding these changes, you can better plan for your future and know where to find help if you need it.
Learn Today
House GOP budget → A comprehensive 1,000-page Republican proposal combining immigration enforcement and tax policy changes.
TCJA → Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, landmark legislation reducing taxes for individuals and businesses.
SNAP → Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program providing food aid, targeted for $230 billion cuts over ten years.
ICE → Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency responsible for immigration enforcement and deportation operations.
Asylum application fee → A new $1,000 charge for people seeking asylum in the US to deter abuse and raise revenue.
This Article in a Nutshell
The House GOP budget links strict immigration enforcement with sweeping tax cuts, raising billions from new asylum fees and enforcement. It permanently extends 2017 cuts, adds savings programs, but cuts SNAP funding. Passed by one vote, it now faces Senate debate amid widespread support and criticism.
— By VisaVerge.com
