Congress is yet again starting a process to designate additional billions of our tax dollars for out-of-control ICE agents on top of unprecedented billions already passed last summer through the big budget bill.
Despite strong public opinion against additional funding after witnessing ICE violence kill multiple people, a ballooning federal agent force overwhelming local communities and local law enforcement, and reports of warehouse purchases for mass detentions that would overwhelm local water and other infrastructure – all contrary to our values – some members of Congress are following the president’s call for a fast-track process for additional allocations outside the normal budget process.
TAKE ACTION
Call your members of Congress to let them know you strongly oppose additional billions of your tax dollars on top of last year’s unprecedented billions for out-of-control ICE agents and mass detentions that are destabilizing communities and harming working moms, dads, and neighbors.
The House will vote next on a resolution to start the process. Call your house member to urge them to oppose this process.
Click here to find your U.S. Representative
Rep. Mike Flood (CD1)
(202) 225-4806
Rep. Don Bacon (CD2)
(202) 225-4155
Rep. Adrian Smith (CD3)
(202) 225-6435
The rest of the process will continue over the next month, so it’s also a good time to contact U.S. Senators Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts. Let them know you were dismayed to see their initial vote for a resolution to start the process for additional ICE funding, and that you urge them to vote against the bill and ballooning ICE resources that are making communities less safe.
More information
- Last summer, Congress already passed an unprecedented $170 billion, military-style budget that dramatically expanded ICE without meaningful oversight in the big budget reconciliation bill – and with $75 billion earmarked just for ICE, detention, and interior enforcement activity. With drastic increases in resources, news outlets have been reporting federal plans for mass detentions in warehouses.
- Data now shows the vast majority of people being detained are working community members with no criminal record.
- 95% have never been convicted of a violent crime, 71% have no criminal record, and those who do include minor offenses like traffic violations. It is important to note that ICE uses a very broad definition (see footnote) of criminal violation including immigration paperwork violations or violations such as “not keeping a dog on a leash, fishing without a permit, driving a vehicle with a tail light out, etc.”
- Our tax dollars could instead be spent on food and agriculture programs, educational programs including K-12 and higher education, community infrastructure, supports for working people and communities, etc.
- These newest billions for ICE are being proposed again through the budget reconciliation process, which can be used once per fiscal year to pass budget-related legislation with a simple majority vote.
- Instead of additional allocations, Congress should be working to claw back some of the slush fund billions already passed as part of last year’s big budget reconciliation bill.
Nebraska’s members of Congress represent YOU, and they have power to control funding of these abuses– and power to move positive and productive solutions that fix long-outdated immigration laws and create stability for Nebraska families, workforce, and communities.
Thank you for calling Congress again during this critical moment to say NO additional money for ICE violence and mass detention that is contrary to our values and our interests.