1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my strong opposition to your recent vote supporting the Department of Homeland Security funding bill. As your constituent in Washington's 3rd Congressional District, I am deeply concerned that this funding will continue to enable Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations that harm our communities. Your vote placed you among only seven Democrats willing to break with the party's position on this issue. This decision comes at a time when Democrats have broadly opposed homeland security funding following a fatal Border Patrol shooting in Minnesota, an incident that underscores the urgent need to reconsider how we allocate resources for immigration enforcement. ICE has a documented history of family separations, detention of asylum seekers, and enforcement actions that create fear in immigrant communities. Funding DHS without restrictions on ICE operations provides resources for an agency that operates with insufficient oversight and accountability. The recent fatal shooting incident demonstrates the consequences of continuing business as usual with border enforcement agencies. I understand the political pressure to avoid a partial government shutdown, but funding decisions have real consequences for people living in our district. Immigrant families contribute to our local economy, work in our businesses, and are part of our community fabric. Continuing to fund ICE without meaningful reform or restrictions perpetuates a system that causes harm rather than promoting safety. I urge you to oppose future DHS funding bills unless they include significant restrictions on ICE operations and enforcement activities. I also ask that you support legislation to redirect these resources toward humane immigration processing, legal representation for asylum seekers, and community-based alternatives to detention. Your constituents are watching how you vote on these critical issues. I hope you will reconsider your position and stand with those calling for immigration justice rather than expanded enforcement.