President Donald Trump has vowed to make xenophobia and racism the touchstones of American immigration policy. From promises to implement mass deportations and dismantle our asylum system, to workplace raids and mass detention, Trump’s anti-immigrant policies would tear apart immigrant families, our communities, and the fabric of our nation – and the last thing Congress should be doing is using taxpayer dollars to fund this hate-filled agenda. A mass deportation program would require massive funding for DHS enforcement efforts, as well as a rapid expansion of ICE and Customs and Border Patrol detention sites that are known for their physical and emotional abuse, pervasive medical neglect, and complete disregard for the dignity of people in its custody. None of these features make our communities safer – and polling shows that the public supports a balanced and humane approach over cruel enforcement-only policies.
Violating the human rights and basic dignity of immigrants is completely unacceptable and a shameful moral stain on American society. Our government cannot use taxpayer dollars to fuel this draconian deportation agenda. Our nation has already seen the harmful effects of the Trump administration’s anti-immigrant policies, and a second administration will be far more aggressive. That’s why I’m urging you to take action now to cut funding for DHS immigration enforcement and block Trump’s plans for mass deportations.
