Trump asks Congress for $4.5 billion in emergency aid for child migrants, border crisis

The White House sent an emergency request to Congress Wednesday for $4.5 billion to address the huge influx of illegal immigrants at the southern border, warning that the administration will run out of money next month to care for unaccompanied migrant children.

Acting Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought said the administration needs $3.3 billion for humanitarian assistance, including food, diapers, clothing and additional bed space for children.

The request includes another $1.1 billion for border security operations and support, officials said, and $178 million for “mission support.”

Senior administration officials said none of the new money would go toward building President Trump’s border wall or barriers. Mr. Trump declared a national emergency in February, announcing that he would move about $8 billion from three funds for constructing barriers.

Officials said border apprehensions are on a pace to top 1 million this year.

“The situation at the border becomes more dire each day,” a senior administration official said.

“It is worsening. Agencies are literally running out of funds.”

The official said without the money, the Department of Health and Human Services would exhaust its available money by next month for caring for unaccompanied children who cross the border.

If that happens, the administration would need to divert money from a program for victims of human trafficking, the official said.

Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama, ranking Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee, said the request should make clear to Democrats that the administration didn’t “manufacture” a crisis on the border.

“The situation at our southwest border is deteriorating by the day, creating a threat to both national security and human life,” he said. “DHS needs more funding before the end of the year. Congress must ensure it has the resources it needs to do its job. The influx of migrants presents serious humanitarian and security concerns, consequences of a department stretched too thin.”