Retired US Air Force Senior Airman, Brian Kolfage, is the mind behind the madness that has manifested into a grassroots campaign to fund the border wall via the citizens of the United States. The GoFundMe page, "We The People Will Fund The Wall," which was established last Sunday has accumulated $19 million (less than 2%) of the $1 billion goal.
This rate of fund accumulation has progressed at an exponential rate, with donors having raised $3 million within the first three days.
The campaign has now surpassed the Humboldt Broncos record of $15.2 million after their junior ice hockey team bus was involved in a fatal accident that claimed 16 lives.
It's amazing what people prioritize in donating to.
The wreckage of a fatal crash outside of Tisdale, Sask., is seen Saturday. A bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos hock… https://t.co/Mycn4gArey— Graeme Roy (@Graeme Roy) 1523129978.0
Now that donations for the wall have accumulated, it remains in question how exactly the funds are going to be processed towards the border wall. Money sent to the government is accepted as "gifts to the United States," however that money is put aside for general use in budgeting.
Specific agencies like the Department of Homeland Security, which manages Border Patrol, cannot touch that money without congressional approval.
According to the United States Treasury Department, specific government agencies may accept direct donations from citizens, however, it is unknown whether or not the Department of Homeland Security is one of them. If they are not a part of the few allowed to keep donations, they must obtain Congressional appropriation to access any donations.
As per GoFundMe's policy, funds must be used for their stated purpose; therefore, if funds are not being directed to Homeland Security then all contributors to the campaign must be refunded by law.
