1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to defund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and oppose the current administration's immigration enforcement policies that are terrorizing American communities and endangering lives. A 37-year-old Minneapolis resident was recently killed by a federal agent in a residential neighborhood. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the White House after what he described as "another horrific shooting by federal agents." Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino claimed the victim "violently resisted" disarming, but eyewitness accounts and video footage tell a different story. Community members witnessed ICE officers pulling a woman from a car on a residential street, and protesters chased off federal law enforcement officers in response to this violence. This is not an isolated incident. A US citizen reported being detained by ICE in his underwear, demonstrating the agency's pattern of constitutional violations and disregard for civil liberties. These enforcement actions are occurring in our neighborhoods, targeting our neighbors, and creating an atmosphere of fear that undermines public safety rather than enhancing it. ICE's budget has grown substantially while accountability has diminished. The agency operates with minimal oversight, leading to documented cases of abuse, wrongful detention of citizens, and now fatal shootings. These resources could be redirected to community-based programs that actually improve public safety, support immigrant integration, and respect constitutional rights. I am asking you to take concrete action by voting against any appropriations that fund ICE operations, cosponsoring legislation to defund or abolish the agency, and publicly opposing federal immigration enforcement tactics that violate civil liberties and endanger lives. Our communities deserve better than militarized enforcement that kills residents and detains citizens without due process. The people of Minnesota and communities across the country are demanding accountability. I need to know where you stand on this issue and what specific steps you will take to protect constituents from federal overreach.