This weekend, the nation watched in horror as another civilian was beaten and killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in broad daylight, surrounded by bystanders. Our communities — in Minnesota and beyond — are reeling from the irreparable harm and trauma that federal immigration enforcement efforts have caused. The Administration continues to scale up its overreach, intimidation, and suppression. Congress has the authority and responsibility to take immediate action.
This week, the Senate will vote on the House-passed spending legislation ahead of the January 30th deadline to keep the government fully funded. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill includes additional funding for ICE and Border Patrol, but does not impose sufficient DHS oversight and accountability measures. Further, the expansion of federal immigration enforcement efforts has proliferated and revealed the abuses that ICE is inflicting on civilians.
Congress has the authority to conduct investigations, a crucial role in maintaining checks and balances, and a vital role in protecting its constituents. We need you to stand with the League to demand that:
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Senators reject additional funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), or immigration detention, and impose additional agency guardrails and accountability measures;
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Congress investigates ICE, CBP, and the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) use of force; and
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Congress takes steps to protect civilians' constitutional rights to peacefully protest and assemble without their lives being threatened or taken.
While people have proven incredibly strong and powerful, mobilizing in the tens of thousands through protests, walkouts, boycotts, community support efforts, and more, we must continue to act. Now is the time for the voice of the people to rise and hold our elected leaders in Congress and the White House accountable for their actions, or lack thereof. We must condemn government violence and demand oversight and accountability. The safety of our communities and the future of our democracy depend on it.
