1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

As Congress considers current and future funding for the Department of Homeland Security, I urge you to ensure that any new appropriations include clear, enforceable restrictions on ICE’s practices. The power of the purse is one of Congress’s most important constitutional tools. It is not merely a budgeting function — it is a mechanism for accountability. Across the country, ICE operations have generated mounting concern: aggressive enforcement tactics, contested residential entries, expanded detention capacity, and use-of-force incidents that have shaken public confidence. Whether one supports strict immigration enforcement or broader reform, no federal agency should operate without firm constitutional guardrails. If DHS funding continues to increase without meaningful conditions, Congress risks enabling practices that erode Fourth and Fifth Amendment protections. Appropriations should not function as blank checks. They should reflect legislative intent and constitutional limits. I respectfully urge you to support DHS funding provisions that: Require judicial warrants for entry into private homes; Mandate visible identification and body-camera usage during enforcement actions; Establish transparent public reporting of enforcement activities and use-of-force incidents; Condition expansion of detention facilities on verified compliance with due process standards; and Provide independent oversight with real enforcement authority. These measures do not weaken immigration enforcement. They strengthen its legitimacy. Americans expect their government to enforce the law — and to do so lawfully. By attaching clear restrictions and accountability measures to DHS appropriations, Congress can reaffirm that constitutional compliance is not optional. I ask that you publicly commit to conditioning future DHS funding on enforceable civil-liberties protections and meaningful oversight of ICE. Thank you for your attention and service.