1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to vote against any funding bills that allocate resources to the Department of Homeland Security or Immigration and Customs Enforcement, particularly in light of the Trump administration's escalating deportation operations. As 60 Minutes will report this Sunday, the administration's deportation activities have intensified to a degree that warrants serious congressional oversight and funding scrutiny. The current administration's approach to immigration enforcement raises fundamental questions about how taxpayer dollars should be used. I am asking you to ensure that any appropriations bills you support are structured with specific earmarks and compartmentalized funding that prevents reallocation to DHS or ICE operations. This is not merely a procedural request but a necessary safeguard against the expansion of enforcement activities that are separating families and destabilizing communities across our district. Congressional control of the purse strings is one of the most powerful tools available to check executive overreach. By refusing to fund these agencies or by strictly limiting how appropriated funds can be used, you can directly impact the scope and scale of deportation operations. The administration has already demonstrated a willingness to push the boundaries of its authority, making it essential that funding bills include explicit restrictions preventing the transfer or repurposing of funds toward immigration enforcement. I recognize that budget negotiations involve complex tradeoffs, but this issue demands a clear stance. Constituents like me are watching how you vote on funding measures and whether you take concrete steps to prevent our tax dollars from fueling mass deportations. I urge you to oppose any omnibus or continuing resolution that provides funding to DHS or ICE without ironclad restrictions, and to advocate for compartmentalized appropriations that cannot be redirected toward enforcement activities.