Defund ICE and Redirect Resources to Better Use

I'm asking you to vote to defund Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The agency's budget has ballooned to over $9 billion annually, and that money could be put to far better use in our communities. ICE's enforcement operations are expensive and inefficient. The cost of detaining one person averages $140 per day, which adds up to more than $50,000 per year. Meanwhile, community-based alternatives to detention cost a fraction of that and have proven more effective at ensuring people appear for their immigration proceedings. This isn't just about the price tag. ICE raids disrupt local economies, separate families, and create fear in communities that makes people afraid to report crimes or seek medical care. The agency operates with minimal oversight and accountability despite its massive budget. We need immigration policies that are both humane and fiscally responsible. Defunding ICE and redirecting those billions toward processing cases efficiently, supporting immigration courts, and investing in our communities would be a smarter use of taxpayer dollars.