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White House wants $4.5 billion in emergency border funding

May 1, 2019 | 10:05 AM

WASHINGTON — The White House is asking Congress for an additional $4.5 billion in emergency spending for border security.

That’s according to two people familiar with the request who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly.

A summary of the request obtained by the AP says the White House wants $3.3 billion for humanitarian aid to increase shelter capacity for unaccompanied migrant children and the feeding and care of families.

Another $1.1 billion would go toward operational support, including personnel expenses, detention beds, transportation and investigative work on smuggling.

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan said Tuesday the department is running out of money amid a spike in migrants crossing the Southern border.

Colleen Long And Jill Colvin, The Associated Press

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