1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose any further funding increases for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security in current government funding negotiations. The proposed ICE funding expansion comes immediately after Republicans' HR1 Bill already dramatically increased ICE's budget at the expense of programs that serve human needs. Last year, 2025, was the deadliest year in ICE detention facilities in over 20 years, with 32 people dying in custody. Beyond these deaths, at least eleven non-fatal shootings by ICE and Border Patrol agents occurred across the country, including incidents in Chicago, California, Portland, and Minneapolis. The death of Renee Nicole Good, killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis, exemplifies a pattern of reckless disregard for human life rather than an isolated tragedy. People regardless of immigration status have been injured and terrorized in their own communities without cause. To allocate additional funding to ICE now, without sufficient safeguards to protect our neighbors and loved ones, is unconscionable. Secretary Noem and ICE Acting Director Lyons have overseen tactics that prioritize aggressive enforcement over community safety and human dignity. Our tax dollars should improve lives, not fund chaos and cruelty. Instead of expanding ICE operations, I urge you to redirect these resources toward programs that strengthen our communities: immigration courts to address case backlogs, SNAP to combat food insecurity, Medicaid to ensure healthcare access, housing assistance to address homelessness, science research to advance innovation, national parks and forests to preserve our environment, and heating assistance to help families afford basic utilities. I ask that you vote against any appropriations bill that increases funding for DHS or ICE detention facilities until thorough investigations are conducted and meaningful reforms are implemented. Our communities deserve investments that create stability and opportunity, not fear and harm.