For immediate release: March 27, 2026
Contact: media@hispanicfederation.org
Hispanic Federation: Senate Proposed Funding Deal Would Have Provided Much Needed Relief for American Public While Leaving the Door Open for Critical Guardrails for Immigration Enforcement
Washington, D.C. – Earlier today it was reported that the U.S. Senate proposed a deal that would have partially funded the government, including paying TSA agents. While the deal did not include critical guardrails for immigration operations, it also did not include funding for the agencies that have caused irreparable harm to communities across the country. The deal was passed in the Senate and was blocked in the House. Below is a statement from Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of Hispanic Federation:
“For over 40 days, Americans waited with bated breath to see if Congress would prioritize civil rights, national security, disaster response, and paying TSA over politics and partisanship. As we waited for a deal, TSA agents were forced to work without pay, an injustice causing significant financial hardship for workers, logistics nightmares for passengers, and an increase in safety risks for everyone.
We reached this situation because Congress repeatedly refused to put in place much needed guardrails that could help prevent egregious constitutional rights violations by federal agents. We are in this situation now because a federal agency was granted significant funding without including a modicum of accountability. TSA being forced to work without pay while another agency uses its slush fund to sit idle at airports while also harassing American citizens and law-abiding immigrants across the country is not lost on the public.
Today, there was a glimmer of hope that the safety of the American people would no longer be held as a political bargaining chip as Congress debated the reforms needed to rein in a rouge agency operating without oversight and guardrails. Thank you to the Senate for listening to community concerns and prioritizing public safety. Shame on the Republican controlled House for failing to act and for going on a two-week recess without approving this deal.
Hispanic Federation remains committed to making sure the Senate deal can move forward as negotiations are ongoing on federal immigration enforcement. We will also continue to advocate for the necessary oversight and reform to federal immigration operations.”
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About Hispanic Federation
Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, committed to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income, marginalized, and immigrant Latine. With programs in 43 states and territories, HF’s focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
