1. United States
2. Tenn.
3. Letter

I am writing as a constituent from Tennessee to urge you to oppose the pending appropriations bill if it includes funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or related federal immigration enforcement operations. On January 24, 2026, federal immigration agents shot and killed a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, Alex Pretti, in Minneapolis during an immigration enforcement operation — the third fatal shooting by federal officers in that city in recent weeks. The incident has triggered protests and widespread outrage from local leaders and residents who are alarmed by the level of force used and the continued deployment of federal officers in ways that appear to escalate violence rather than protect public safety. This tragedy comes on the heels of other controversial fatal shootings involving ICE or federal immigration agents in Minneapolis earlier this month, including the killing of an American mother on January 7. These events have shaken communities and raised serious questions about accountability, oversight, and the appropriate use of taxpayer-funded law enforcement resources. I respectfully ask that you oppose any funding for ICE or related federal immigration enforcement efforts in the appropriations bill unless these critical reforms are enacted first. Our communities deserve safety, justice, and public officials who prioritize policies that protect every American, not policies that allow federal agents to operate without sufficient oversight or consequence. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to your response on how you intend to represent Tennesseans on this urgent matter.