1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

The Trump administration's plan to spend $45 billion expanding immigrant detention facilities represents a misguided allocation of taxpayer funds. At a time when critical investments are needed in areas like education, infrastructure, and healthcare, diverting vast resources towards mass detention of immigrants is counterproductive and inhumane. This tremendous expenditure will deprive other essential programs of funding while perpetuating a cruel and unjust detention system. Rather than detaining millions of people at exorbitant costs, a more humane and fiscally responsible approach would be to prioritize efficient case management and legal representation for immigrants. Comprehensive immigration reform that provides pathways to legal status for undocumented individuals, many of whom have lived and worked in the U.S. for years, would better serve American interests. Allocating funds towards integration services, not mass incarceration, aligns with our values as a nation of immigrants. I urge reconsideration of this fiscally irresponsible and morally bankrupt plan that squanders public funds on a destructive detention regime. The administration should instead invest in initiatives that strengthen our communities, respect human rights, and uphold America's legacy as a welcoming society.