1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

As a constituent, I am writing to strongly urge you to oppose any FY2026 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security that increases funding for ICE or Border Patrol.  With reports indicating a record number of deaths in ICE custody and recent violent incidents—including the killing of Renee Good in Minnesota on January 7—it is clear that current enforcement tactics are causing irreparable harm to our communities. The proposed funding levels, following last year's $45 billion allocation, only exacerbate this crisis, tearing families apart and operating without sufficient oversight.  I demand that you: • Refuse to vote for any funding bill that increases the budget for detention or immigration enforcement. • Demand accountability measures that enforce mandatory body camera usage and address the deadly use of force by agents. • Redirect tax-payer funds toward community-based resources like healthcare, housing, and education.  Congress must stop funding this brutal, unchecked violence and instead invest in the safety and dignity of our communities. I look forward to your commitment to protecting all residents.