1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

The videos and testimonies of violent tactics used by federal agents against protesters, bystanders, and citizens during recent immigration raids across Los Angeles are deeply disturbing. The excessive use of force, such as firing tear gas and flash bang grenades into crowds, aiming firearms at unarmed individuals, and violently detaining people for simply documenting or verbally objecting to these operations, is an unacceptable violation of constitutional rights. This militarized campaign of violence terrorizes immigrant communities and retraumatizes many who have fled armed conflict. Agents appear emboldened by inflammatory rhetoric portraying protesters as "animals" and a "foreign enemy," leading to a lack of restraint and disproportionate escalation in confrontations with the public. This unwillingness to deescalate tensions and allow people to exercise their right to protest peacefully threatens to lead to further injuries or even loss of life. I urge you to condemn these egregious abuses by federal law enforcement and take immediate action to halt the indiscriminate use of force against demonstrators and bystanders. The excessive militarization of immigration enforcement operations must end. Stringent policies limiting compliance inspections and raids to extraordinary circumstances with proper warrants should be implemented. Ultimately, we need comprehensive immigration reform that upholds human rights and due process while addressing this humanitarian crisis through just and humane solutions. The current climate of violence and dehumanization is antithetical to American values of freedom and democracy.