The Office of Refugee and Resettlement, charged with thousands of unaccompanied minor migrants, could receive more money after the latest Democratic offer. | Gregory Bull/AP Photo congress Dems agree to billions in humanitarian aid for southern border

Democratic leaders have agreed to fund a portion of the White House’s emergency funding request to address the surge of migrants at the southern border, according to multiple sources.

Top Democrats indicated to Republicans late Thursday afternoon that they are willing to include some of the White House’s $4.5 billion proposal — specifically for humanitarian assistance — in a long-stalled disaster relief package.


Democrats are willing to devote more money to the Office of Refugee and Resettlement, which has been in charge of thousands of unaccompanied minors who have crossed the border this year.

But they rejected the White House’s more contentious requests, such as more money for detention beds or the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

The formal offer from Democrats comes one week after Republican leaders first proposed tying the money for the White House’s border request to the disaster aid package, which includes $17 billion for communities affected by hurricanes, wildfires and extreme flooding in the last 18 months.

Even if Democrats’ proposal isn’t entirely accepted, senior lawmakers from both parties believe they are getting closer to an agreement that can pass before the Memorial Day recess.

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Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) declined to comment on the offer Thursday, but said there was “movement" in the negotiations.

Democrats said they were open to billions of dollars for “tightly limited” humanitarian aid for both the Department of Homeland Security as well as the refugee office, which falls under Department of Health and Human Services, according to Democratic aide.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi hinted earlier Thursday that Democrats would be willing to include humanitarian aid in the spending bill.

“What is happening at the border is tragic, and we hope to address some of that in the supplemental that is coming, the disaster supplemental, to provide some of the resources that are needed there,” Pelosi said.

Heather Caygle and Burgess Everett contributed to this report.