1. United States
2. Maine
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to vote against the Homeland Security funding bill released by the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. While this bill makes modest reductions to ICE operations, it fundamentally fails to address the agency's pattern of abuses and lawless behavior that have harmed communities across the country. The bill reduces ICE enforcement and removal operations by only $115 million and cuts detention beds by just 5,500 while keeping the overall ICE budget flat. These incremental changes are insufficient given the severity of ICE's documented violations. More critically, the bill omits essential reforms that would prevent U.S. citizens from being detained or deported and would stop non-ICE personnel from conducting interior enforcement operations. The argument that we must pass this bill to avoid a funding lapse ignores a crucial fact: ICE already received $75 billion in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, enough to sustain regular operations for multiple years even without additional appropriations. ICE will continue functioning regardless of whether this bill passes. Meanwhile, a continuing resolution would actually be preferable because it would maintain current funding levels rather than providing new appropriations that legitimize the agency's operations. I understand concerns about TSA agents, FEMA assistance, and Coast Guard operations being affected by a funding lapse. However, these agencies should not be used as leverage to force approval of continued ICE funding. House Republicans have committed to holding a separate vote on this bill, which means it can be rejected without impacting other critical appropriations for Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development. I urge you to vote no on the Homeland Security funding bill and demand meaningful accountability and reform before providing ICE with additional resources beyond what it has already received.