1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

The use of military bases to detain immigrants is a concerning overreach of military resources and authority. The armed forces exist to defend our nation from foreign threats, not to engage in domestic law enforcement against civilians. Deploying troops and facilities for immigration detention blurs the line between military and civilian spheres in a troubling way. This proposal raises serious questions about the appropriate role and jurisdiction of the military within our borders. There are legitimate concerns that militarizing immigration enforcement could infringe on civil liberties and normalize an excessive escalation of state force against undocumented immigrants and minority communities. The military must remain separate from domestic policing to uphold democratic principles. I urge you to block any attempt to use military installations for detaining immigrants. The armed forces should focus solely on their national defense mission and stay out of immigration matters that are properly under civilian law enforcement jurisdiction. Protecting our constitutional order requires a strict separation between military and civilian authority within the United States. Please act to prevent this unwise and likely unlawful overextension of military power.