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Call Your Congressional Representatives
Congress is considering additional funding for ICE through the FY2026 Homeland Security appropriations process. We urge you to call your senators and representative and demand that they oppose any effort to pass ICE funding through budget reconciliation or appropriations without major reforms and accountability measures.
We have seen what happens when ICE receives massive funding with no strings attached. Operation Metro Surge was funded by $75 billion that Congress approved through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act with virtually no oversight provisions. The result: more than 4,000 arrests—most of people with no criminal record—two American citizens killed, nearly 100 court orders defied, and an agency that answered to no one.
Demand that your representatives insist on:
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Oppose the latest scheme to hand ICE a blank check. Ask your representatives to oppose the latest scheme to fund ICE through the budget reconciliation process.
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Demand your representatives continue to oppose normal funding for ICE without real accountability in place.
What We Expect From Congress
The American people deserve representatives who will stand up—not stand by—when the federal government tramples constitutional rights, defies the courts, and deploys lethal force against the communities it is supposed to protect. This is not a partisan ask. It is the bare minimum of what congressional leadership requires in this moment. Here is what every member of Congress should be doing:
Hold DHS Leadership Accountable
Under former Secretary Noem’s watch, ICE killed two American citizens, violated nearly 100 court orders, and operated with impunity in communities across Minnesota. Secretary Mullin inherited an agency in crisis—and so far, there has been no meaningful change in course. Members of Congress must demand that both current and former DHS leadership answer for what happened during Operation Metro Surge, and must pursue every available tool—including hearings, subpoenas, and articles of impeachment where warranted—to ensure that no one is above the law.
Exercise Oversight of Detention Facilities
When members of Congress have attempted to visit ICE detention centers, they have been met by armed federal agents and turned away. That is unacceptable. Congressional oversight of federal facilities is not a courtesy—it is a constitutional duty. Every member of Congress should demand unfettered access to detention centers in their districts and across the country, and should treat any denial of access as an obstruction that requires immediate public response and legislative action.
End the Blank-Check Funding Model
Congress handed ICE $75 billion through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act with virtually no oversight provisions—money that sits outside the normal appropriations process and is available through 2029. Legislation like the Feeding Families Not Fear Act (H.R. 7975) would rescind that funding and redirect resources to programs like SNAP that actually serve American families. Members of Congress should champion this bill and oppose any further funding that does not come with enforceable accountability measures.
Defend Birthright Citizenship
The 14th Amendment guarantee that anyone born on American soil is an American citizen is one of the most fundamental promises this country has ever made. The administration tried to erase it with the stroke of a pen. Every member of Congress should support the Born in the USA Act (H.R. 3368), which prohibits the use of federal funds to enforce the executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship. This is not a close call—it is a constitutional imperative.
Demand an End to Excessive Force
Two unarmed American citizens were killed by federal agents during Operation Metro Surge. An ICE agent has been charged with felony assault for pointing a gun at civilians. This is what happens when enforcement agencies operate without meaningful use-of-force standards. Congress should pass the Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act (H.R. 5973), which mandates annual training on de-escalation techniques, use-of-force policy, and applicable legal standards for every federal immigration officer. No more excuses. No more preventable deaths.
This is what leadership looks like. Ask your representative: are they meeting this standard? If not, tell them what you expect.
Sample Phone Script
Sample Phone Script
Use this script when you call your representative's office. You'll likely speak with a staffer—that's fine. They track every call and report constituent concerns to the member. Your call matters.
Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I'm a constituent from [YOUR CITY/TOWN]. I'm calling to urge [REPRESENTATIVE'S NAME] to oppose any effort to pass additional ICE funding through budget reconciliation or appropriations without major reforms and accountability measures.
We saw what happened in Minnesota during Operation Metro Surge. ICE received $75 billion with virtually no oversight, and the result was the killing of two American citizens, the arrest of thousands of people—most with no criminal record—and the violation of nearly 100 court orders. Federal agents pointed guns at civilians, denied members of Congress access to detention facilities, and arrested people at community centers and on public streets.
I expect my representatives to oppose any blank check for the out-of-control actions of ICE. That includes opposing any new efforts to fund ICE, without reforms, through the budget reconciliation process. American lives are at stake.
I'm watching how [REPRESENTATIVE'S NAME] votes on this, and I will hold them accountable. Thank you for your time.
Or call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard directly: (202) 224-3121
After you call, share this page with three people who care about accountability.