Block DHS Funding Until ICE Accountability Measures Are Implemented

I am writing to urge you to vote against any government funding package that includes money for the Department of Homeland Security until meaningful reforms are implemented to prevent further tragedies like the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday morning. Alex Pretti, a US citizen, was violently restrained and then fatally shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. This killing represents an unacceptable escalation of federal overreach in our communities. The current funding package allocates $64.4 billion for DHS, including $10 billion for ICE, with no adequate safeguards to prevent these abuses of power. As Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto stated, the Trump administration and Kristi Noem are "putting undertrained, combative federal agents on the streets with no accountability" who are "oppressing Americans and are at odds with local law enforcement." Virginia Senator Mark Warner echoed this concern, refusing to fund DHS "while this administration continues these violent federal takeovers of our cities." I support Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer's position that Democrats sought common sense reforms in the DHS spending bill, but Republicans refused to stand up to President Trump, resulting in legislation that is woefully inadequate to rein in ICE abuses. Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen correctly stated she would vote against any funding package containing ICE money until guardrails are in place to curtail abuses of power and ensure accountability and transparency. Our communities deserve federal law enforcement that works cooperatively with local authorities and respects constitutional rights, not agents who operate with impunity. I urge you to join Senate Democrats in blocking this funding package until concrete accountability measures are included. No more killings in our streets can be tolerated.