Billionaire Democratic mega-donor Tom Steyer announced on Thursday his plans to invest an additional $1 million in efforts to help immigrant legal aid groups fight deportation cases.

The funds will go toward organizations that are a part of his group, NextGen America, according to ABC 7 News.

Steyer made the announcement while delivering remarks at an annual gathering of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the outlet reported.

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"For those facing the brutality and violence of deportation, whose lives are on the verge of being suddenly and horribly pulled apart, legal resources can be the difference between deportation and safety," Steyer said.

According to ABC7, the Democratic mega-donor put aside $2.3 million last year to support organizations working to help immigrants seek out legal protection.

"Legal services are an indispensable resource for our immigrant families, and until we address the immigration system in a comprehensive and humane way, it is vital that these programs be expanded and strengthened," said Steyer.

Steyer's announcement comes amid heightened tensions over the Trump administration's "zero-tolerance" immigration policy and Congress's scramble to push a compromise immigration bill to President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE.

Democrats and immigration advocates have expressed concern about the treatment of migrant children following Attorney General Jeff Sessions Jefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsGOP set to release controversial Biden report Trump's policies on refugees are as simple as ABCs Ocasio-Cortez, Velázquez call for convention to decide Puerto Rico status MORE's announcement last month of the zero-tolerance policy. The policy, which prosecutes adults attempting to cross the U.S.–Mexico border illegally, has faced intense scrutiny from critics, who call it cruel and blame it for overwhelming courts and U.S. attorneys' offices.

Meanwhile, GOP leaders earlier this week reached an agreement to hold two votes next week separate immigration bills, including a compromise bill reached after weeks of negotiations between moderate Republicans and conservatives.

Trump abruptly halted GOP leadership's plans for the compromise immigration bill on Friday, stating, "I certainly wouldn’t sign the more moderate one,” during an impromptu interview on the White House lawn with "Fox & Friends."

“I need a bill that gives this country tremendous border security. I have to have that," he continued.