Dems and GOP play blame game over immigration money

Democrats and Republicans in Congress are blaming each other for changes to billions of dollars destined for border security.

The GOP is upset that Democrats cut about $3 billion in immigration funds from a defense spending bill. “Democrats are sending the American people the troubling message that Congress is not serious about securing the border,” said Republican Senator Jon Kyl over the money that would’ve paid for items like the controversial U.S.-Mexico border fence.

However, Democrats say that the outcry is unnecessary since the funds were cut due to redundancy. (There were two bills that had allocated the money). Furthermore, according to the Associated Press:

The $3 billion in fence money, aimed at seizing "operational control" over the southern border, is likely to pass later in the year as part the Homeland Security Department's spending bill.

The funds had originally been part of an immigration reform bill that was defeated months ago by Democrat and Republican senators.

Image- MSNBC

Sources- The Latin Americanist, Associated Press, Arizona Republic, azstarnet.com