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

I am writing to express appreciation to the Democratic lawmakers who have continued to block additional funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Maintaining this position is essential, and I urge you to continue holding the line. DHS already has substantial funding in the current budget. Requests for additional appropriations should not move forward while serious concerns remain about the department’s policies, operations, and lack of accountability. Congress should not provide additional resources for programs and practices that have generated widespread concern among communities across the country. There are growing reports of expanded detention infrastructure, including the conversion of large warehouse-style facilities into detention centers. These expansions raise serious questions about transparency, oversight, and the long-term direction of federal immigration enforcement policy. Additional funding would likely accelerate these efforts. It could also expand enforcement personnel and detention capacity without addressing longstanding concerns about training, oversight, and conditions of detention. For these reasons, Congress should continue using its leverage. • Continue blocking additional funding for DHS and ICE. • Refuse funding for expanded detention infrastructure until there is transparency and accountability. • Conduct rigorous oversight of detention conditions, enforcement practices, and spending priorities within DHS. • Require meaningful reforms before any future funding increases are considered. I am also deeply concerned about the reported decision to replace Secretary Kristi Noem with Senator Markwayne Mullin as the nominee to lead DHS. Given the serious challenges and controversies surrounding DHS policy and enforcement practices, the confirmation process must include rigorous and comprehensive questioning. The Senate has a responsibility to carefully examine how a new secretary would approach detention policy, enforcement priorities, transparency, and accountability. During confirmation hearings, the nominee should be asked directly how he would address the concerns surrounding detention expansion, enforcement practices, and oversight within the department. Senators should ensure that the American public receives clear answers about how DHS leadership intends to manage these issues moving forward. Congress’s responsibility to provide oversight and accountability is critical at this moment. Thank you to those members who have already taken steps to use Congress’s authority to demand accountability from DHS. I urge you to continue exercising that authority in the months ahead.