1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to support legislation that would abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement and replace it with a humane immigration system that reflects our values as a nation. ICE has operated under the Department of Homeland Security since 2003, but its track record demonstrates that the agency is fundamentally broken and cannot be reformed. The agency has consistently violated due process rights, separated families, and detained people in conditions that fail to meet basic human rights standards. These are not isolated incidents but systemic failures that persist regardless of which administration is in power. The current structure concentrates too much unchecked power in a single agency that operates with minimal oversight. ICE conducts raids in communities, schools, and courthouses that create fear and undermine public safety by discouraging immigrant communities from reporting crimes or cooperating with local law enforcement. This approach is counterproductive and expensive, costing taxpayers billions annually while failing to address the root causes of immigration challenges. Abolishing ICE does not mean eliminating immigration enforcement. It means creating a new system that prioritizes human dignity, due process, and effective resource allocation. Immigration enforcement functions could be redistributed to other agencies with proper oversight mechanisms, focusing on actual threats to public safety rather than targeting families and workers who contribute to our communities and economy. Other developed nations manage immigration without an agency structured like ICE, demonstrating that alternatives exist. We need an approach that treats immigration as a civil and humanitarian matter rather than primarily a criminal enforcement issue. I ask that you publicly support abolishing ICE and work with colleagues to develop legislation that creates a more just and effective immigration system. Our constituents deserve an approach that upholds both the rule of law and fundamental human rights.