1. United States
2. Colo.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to vote against any appropriations that fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security. These agencies have demonstrated a pattern of human rights abuses that cannot be reformed through incremental changes. Since its creation in 2003, DHS has grown into a sprawling bureaucracy with a budget exceeding $60 billion annually. ICE, operating under DHS, has conducted mass deportations that separate families, detain people in substandard conditions, and target communities through workplace raids and home arrests. These enforcement actions create fear in immigrant communities and undermine public safety by discouraging people from reporting crimes or seeking help. The agencies' track record includes documented cases of children separated from parents, deaths in detention facilities, and collaboration with local law enforcement that erodes trust between police and the communities they serve. Rather than making our country safer, these practices destabilize families and neighborhoods while consuming resources that could address actual threats to public welfare. I recognize that border management and national security require attention, but the current approach through ICE and DHS has failed. The enforcement-first model has not addressed root causes of migration, has not improved security outcomes, and has caused immeasurable harm to people living in our communities. Many of those targeted by ICE are longtime residents with jobs, families, and deep ties to their neighborhoods. I am asking you to oppose any funding bills that allocate money to ICE and DHS. Instead, support alternative approaches that prioritize humanitarian treatment, address the economic and political conditions driving migration, and invest in community-based solutions. Your constituents deserve immigration policies that reflect our values and actually work to create safety and stability for everyone.