1. United States
2. Ind.
3. Letter

I am appalled that US tax dollars are funding the inhumane & unconstitutional violence being carried out by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). I’m asking you to oppose any DHS funding bill that doesn’t include strong guardrails on ICE’s enforcement practices. Simply residing in the U.S. without legal authorization is generally a civil violation & should be handled as such. ICE’s violent tactics are unconstitutional and an abuse of power. They violate the Fourth Amendment by carrying out unreasonable search & seizures, with lack of probable cause for arrests & detainers, and by using racial profiling. They violated the Fifth & Fourteenth Amendments by hindering due process and refusing equal protection, particularly through tactics like warrantless home entries, discriminatory stops, indefinite detention without bond, and deceptive practices. Where is the due process? Where are the checks and balances? ICE’s actions have turned American streets & community’s into veritable war zones. In the wake of the many deaths & injustices carried out by ICE agents & in their facilities, lawmakers should not advance a DHS funding bill without guardrails or conditional support on accountability measures like body cameras, ID requirements, limits on tactical gear, limits on militarized tactics, and mandatory warrants. For the safety of all Americans, funding should be opposed unless these reforms are included. There should also be a full investigation into how ICE uses deadly force. As Americans, we need to do better.