1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

Dear Representative, Please vote yes on H.R. 6397, the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, introduced by Representative Pramila Jayapal. It would move our immigration system away from costly, harmful detention and back toward humane, community-based alternatives. Too many people in ICE detention have no criminal conviction and pose no danger to their communities. Yet private detention contractors can be paid per person, per night, creating a financial incentive to fill beds rather than prioritize safety, due process, or responsible use of taxpayer funds. ICE facilities have faced serious reports of unsafe conditions, inadequate medical care, sexual abuse, family separation, and 58 preventable deaths. No child, asylum seeker, or family should face confinement that compromises their safety and dignity simply while seeking a fair hearing. H.R. 6397 provides a better approach: case management and community-based support that allow people to live with family or in their communities while attending required immigration appointments and court proceedings. These alternatives are more humane and far less costly than detention. Immigration status is not a crime. Please support H.R. 6397 and help end unnecessary ICE detention.