1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to vote against the Department of Homeland Security funding agreement that was reached on Thursday. This deal extends DHS funding through February 13 without any accountability measures or civil rights protections for immigration enforcement operations. The bipartisan agreement provides funding for agencies whose enforcement tactics mirror historical authoritarian regimes. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents operate without basic identification requirements, conduct raids with masked officers, and enter homes without proper warrants. These practices are reminiscent of tactics used by fascist police forces in Nazi Germany and represent a fundamental threat to constitutional protections for all residents. Senate Democrats proposed reasonable baseline requirements on Wednesday that would bring immigration enforcement in line with standard law enforcement practices. Body cameras, visible identification, proper warrant requirements, and bans on masked agents are standard for local police departments nationwide. Federal immigration agents should not operate with less transparency and accountability than municipal officers. President Trump endorsed this deal on Thursday night, calling for both parties to fund the vast majority of government through September while providing only a DHS extension. The White House immediately rejected all accountability proposals without negotiation, demonstrating a clear intent to maintain unchecked enforcement powers that threaten civil liberties. The last government shutdown lasted 43 days, proving that Congress can withstand pressure when constitutional principles are at stake. Funding immigration enforcement agencies that operate like Nazi gestapo units without requiring basic accountability measures is unacceptable in a democratic society. I urge you to vote against any DHS funding measure that does not include enforceable accountability standards, warrant requirements, and identification protocols. These are not partisan demands but fundamental requirements for lawful government operations that respect constitutional rights.