1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

The Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill currently under consideration presents a critical opportunity to address the escalating violence by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. With funding expiring at the end of January, Congress must act now to prevent further tragedies like the death of Renee Good, who was shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. ICE is investing $100 million in what it calls wartime recruitment to hire 10,000 new agents in addition to the existing 20,000. The agency has lowered recruitment standards to meet deportation targets, specifically targeting gun enthusiasts, UFC fight attendees, and tactical gear shoppers. This recruitment strategy prioritizes aggression over professional law enforcement training, creating a force inadequately prepared to use deadly force responsibly. The Trump administration's claims of absolute immunity for ICE agents are legally baseless. When JD Vance stated that the agent who killed Renee Good was protected by absolute immunity because he was doing his job, and when Stephen Miller claimed agents have immunity to perform their duties that no one can prevent, they misrepresented the law. No such absolute immunity exists, yet these false claims embolden agents to act with impunity. ICE was designed as an investigative agency, not a militarized arm of the presidency. There is no documented case of ICE agents being shot at in the field. If threats arise, agents can summon state or local police. Armed agents in unmarked cars, masks, body armor, and carrying long guns provoke violence rather than prevent it. I urge you to support three specific provisions in the DHS spending bill before funding expires in January. First, prohibit ICE and Border Patrol agents from carrying firearms. Second, restrict dragnet arrest operations that target people based on race, language, or accent. Third, clarify that ICE agents are liable under civil and criminal law if they harm civilians. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated that Democrats will oppose the bill unless Republicans agree to new rules governing ICE officers because ICE cannot conduct itself as if it is above the law. Rep. Rosa DeLauro is seeking policy riders to rein in ICE. I ask you to join them in demanding accountability and disarming this agency before more lives are lost.