1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

The continued appropriation of taxpayer funds to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) must be immediately conditioned upon rigorous, non-negotiable reforms. At a time of heightened fiscal scrutiny, it is common sense to demand that agencies receiving billions in public funding operate with the same transparency and professional standards expected of any other federal or local law enforcement body. To restore public trust and ensure basic accountability, future funding should be withheld until the following standard operating procedures are mandated: • Universal Identification: Officers must be required to display clearly visible identification numbers or nameplates on all uniforms at all times. The practice of wearing masks or tactical gear that obscures an officer’s identity is inconsistent with the principles of a transparent democracy and must be prohibited. • Standardized Accountability: These agencies must be brought in line with "normal" law enforcement protocols, including body-worn cameras with strict data-retention policies and robust, independent oversight mechanisms to investigate misconduct. • Humanitarian Reform: The current state of detention facilities—often characterized by overcrowding and a lack of basic dignity—is a stain on our national character. No further "penny" should be allocated to expanding a system that prioritizes mass detention over efficient, humane processing. Resource allocation should reflect our values and operational needs. Rather than further bloating the budgets of agencies currently operating without sufficient oversight, Congress should consider reallocating these funds toward more functional infrastructure, such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) or legal processing systems that streamline immigration without sacrificing human rights. Funding is a tool of governance, not a blank check. It is time to treat border security as a professional responsibility that requires the same sunlight and accountability as any other branch of the government. Until these agencies agree to step out of the shadows and adhere to basic professional standards, no further financial support should be authorized.