As the Senate moves ahead with voting on President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” the sweeping legislation is drawing criticism for being overtly anti-immigrant. Framed as a national security and budget reform bill, the proposal includes some of the most aggressive immigration measures seen in decades. Beneath its political messaging lies a systematic effort to expand deportations, restrict legal pathways, and make life more difficult for immigrants already in the United States. Here are four key takeaways that explains why the bill is considered deeply anti-immigration.
A $150 billion push for mass deportation
The bill earmarks an extraordinary $150 billion over four years to fuel Trump’s immigration crackdown. It proposes $46.5 billion for constructing over 1,600 miles of new border walls and barriers, and $45 billion to massively expand detention centers for both adults and families. The funding also includes $12 billion to recruit 18,000 new ICE and Border Patrol officers, tripling the deportation workforce. These measures aim to increase deportations dramatically, from about 650 a day to as many as 3,000 daily, signaling a scale of enforcement the U.S. has never seen before.
Funding immigration enforcement by slashing social programs
To finance this massive immigration expansion, the bill proposes deep cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and clean energy initiatives, programs that often benefit working-class and immigrant communities. This redistribution of federal funds clearly prioritises deportation infrastructure over public welfare. It also reinforces the message that immigrants are not welcome and that government support systems will no longer be available to those who need them most.
Legal immigration becomes harder and expensive
The legislation does not just target undocumented immigrants. It also places significant new barriers on those trying to enter or stay in the U.S. legally. Applying for asylum, which has historically been free, will now cost $1,000. Work permit applications will cost $550, and appealing a judge’s decision will jump from $110 to $900. Even applying for Temporary Protected Status—a humanitarian safeguard—will rise tenfold. These steep fee hikes risk pricing out thousands of vulnerable people, especially asylum-seekers and refugees fleeing conflict or persecution.
Overloaded courts
While the bill adds $1.25 billion to expand immigration courts and hire more judges, it does not solve the deeper issues plaguing the system—like massive backlogs, lack of translators, or insufficient legal aid. Instead, it introduces new threats: immigrants are increasingly being arrested outside courtrooms as they attend scheduled hearings. Combined with rising legal costs and fear of detention, the system is becoming more chaotic and inaccessible for those seeking justice or due process.