Have you seen the news about the
looming government shutdown? Our immigrant family is at risk. Here’s
what’s happening and how
you can take action.
Dear Friend,
By the end of this week, unless Congress agrees on a way to keep
the government’s lights on, our country will veer again into a
MAGA-created shutdown.
In the last set of negotiations just six weeks ago, our movements
won big: the Defund Hate coalition helped block billions of dollars
for ICE and CBP, the government agencies that separate, detain, and
deport our immigrant family and militarize border communities. And a
shutdown was averted.
But now we have to show up again as Jews and allies to stop
Congress from funneling billions of dollars to immigration enforcement
and border militarization this week: Email
your member of Congress NOW to demand they reject any additional
funding for immigration enforcement systems that don't make us
safe.
We’re not talking about a small amount of money: we’re talking
about $7.8 billion for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This money
— and a MAGA-wishlist of xenophobic, anti-immigrant policies — is one
of the issues at the center of negotiations over whether
Congress averts a shutdown by passing a “continuing resolution” later
this week.
Our tax dollars should reflect our Jewish and American values of
care and community safety for all of us, not for the targeting,
detention and deportation of our immigrant family, friends, and
neighbors. And how our government spends our money has
real, human consequences. This $7.8 billion could
instead fund:
- The resettlement of 1.4 million refugees
- Healthcare for 1.58 million adults in poverty
- Public housing for 810,000 households
- Early learning services for 610,000 children from low-income
families
- Solar energy for 19.37 million homes
This Rosh Hashanah, Bend the Arc’s Washington Director Rabbi Jason
Kimelman-Block and members of Bend the Arc: Jewish Action Maryland
joined our Defund Hate partners outside the White House — rallying
to block billions of dollars in unrestricted funding for detention and
deportations. As we get deeper into this new Jewish and Fiscal
Year, we are not backing away from this fight.
Will
you contact your members of Congress right now? Send an email to your
reps to block funding for ICE and CBP and demand immigrant
justice.
With gratitude and in solidarity,
The Bend the Arc team
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