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

I am writing to urge you to vote against the Department of Homeland Security funding bill scheduled for a Senate vote next week and to support efforts to abolish ICE. The fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis on Saturday demonstrates that incremental reform is insufficient. Video footage shows agents tackling a person to the ground before firing at least one shot, followed by multiple rounds fired at the man as he lay on the ground. The Minneapolis Police confirmed the man died. This incident is not isolated. It reflects the systemic problems created by the Trump administration's deployment of ICE, Customs and Border Patrol, and other immigration authorities across cities nationwide. The Department of Homeland Security's justification that the man "approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun" and that agents fired "defensive shots" does not explain why multiple rounds were fired at someone already on the ground. This demands more than investigation. It demands structural change. Last week, 206 House Democrats voted against the DHS funding bill precisely because it lacked sufficient constraints on ICE and CBP agents. That decision has been vindicated by Saturday's events. Rep. Bennie Thompson, ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee, stated clearly that "The Senate must vote against funding CBP and ICE." Rep. Robert Garcia, ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, declared that "Democrats in the Senate cannot fund DHS." Congressional Progressive Caucus chair Greg Casar called for Senate Democrats to "reject funding for ICE this coming week and demand an end to this madness." I understand the DHS bill may be packaged with legislation funding Defense and Health and Human Services. However, funding agencies that kill people in our streets without accountability is not acceptable governance. I ask you to vote no on the DHS funding bill, support impeachment proceedings against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, and advocate for abolishing ICE. Our communities deserve safety, not militarized immigration enforcement.