The Senate has passed a bill making Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) the U.S.'s largest interior law enforcement agency with funding for Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda higher than most of the world’s militaries, including Israel’s.

Pending its passage in the House of Representatives, Trump’s bill could mean a massive increase in ICE funding as part of an immigration enforcement agenda worth $150 billion over four years.

This figure is more than the annual military budget of Italy, which at $30.8 billion, is the world’s 16th highest defense spender for this year according to tracker Global Fire Power.

It is also higher than military spending for Israel, ($30 billion), the Netherlands ($27 billion) and Brazil ($26.1 billion).

  • Psiczar@aussie.zone
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    1 day ago

    We’re probably nearing the point where Americans will start trying to get over the border wall and into Mexico.

    • andros_rex@lemmy.world
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      11 hours ago

      Honestly been looking into it. If things go south enough, I’ve thought about driving down that way. Closer than Canada. I’d have to get through Texas, but teaching math in Mexico City sounds nice.

      • Dozzi92@lemmy.world
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        10 hours ago

        My brother lived in Mexico City about a decade ago. We’re from the US. MC always had a bad rep, but like many things, it was overblown. Worst part of the city is the traffic. Public transport can be a little tight. Gotta get used to whatever lives in the water. Otherwise, I always enjoyed visiting. There was the one time there was an earthquake while I was on the roof of a high-rise, we don’t get those in Jersey, but that’s a fluke.

      • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world
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        10 hours ago

        In Mexico right now. It’s beautiful, the people are friendly, cost of living is easily half that of the States, and the food is spectacular.

        • andros_rex@lemmy.world
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          10 hours ago

          What’s rent for a one bedroom apartment? My Spanish isn’t great but it’s tolerable. Any science or math teacher openings in your area lol?

          I imagine border security into the country is easier than the other way around.

          • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world
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            9 hours ago

            What’s rent for a one bedroom apartment?

            Pretty wide range depending on neighborhood and quality. I’m in Condesa, so it’s in the $600-1200 USD range. You can definitely find cheaper.

            I imagine border security into the country is easier than the other way around.

            It’s not really an issue in Mexico City.

      • Zink@programming.dev
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        24 hours ago

        I can totally see this coming.

        The developed world has a population growth problem. Population growth has slowed or reversed in many countries, but the global economy is designed around infinite growth, fed by an infinitely growing pool of workers and customers. Then when they retire they can be taken care of by the infinitely growing population of young people.

        It takes zero imagination to picture this administration forcing “high value human resources” to remain in the country, including putting them on no fly lists. Unfortunately since they are stupid, the brain drain has already started.

        • Em Adespoton@lemmy.ca
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          19 hours ago

          This goes nicely with abortion bans, criminalization of life choices that don’t produce babies, and the disenfranchisement of women.

    • null_dot@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      24 hours ago

      I was gonna say. Things might be different if I was in poverty and in central America, but for the rest of us the US just seems like a real awful place to be.