John,

Congressional negotiators are nearing an agreement on an immigration policy package that includes billions of dollars to the Israeli military and the reimplementation of devastating Trump-era border measures.

In addition to funding and enabling the Israeli government’s genocide against the Palestinian people, this bill would end or drastically restrict asylum protections for immigrants seeking safety in the United States, fast track deportation, and increase family detention in cages.

As a former immigration attorney, I know immigrants who have been waiting between 10 to 20 years to unite with family members. I see how these negotiations are yet another example of how both Democrats and Republicans are failing our immigrant neighbors. The continued approach of “prisons first, humanity later” demonizes and dehumanizes migrants who are trying to keep their families together.

Add your name now to demand Congress reject any immigration package that sends our tax dollars to the Israeli military or harms immigrant communities in the United States.

Instead of reviving the cruel and failed immigration policies of the last administration, Congress should instead:

• Increase Funding for the Shelter and Services Program (SSP), the new grant-making body that supports cities, localities, and non-governmental organizations assisting newly arrived migrants. These funds are often described as a “lifeline” for people recently released from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) custody, supporting them with food, clothing, basic medical aid, legal information, and transportation needs.

• Sufficiently fund the Office of Field Operations: It’s essential OFO receives increased funding to screen and process people as they arrive at the border to seek asylum and other forms of protection.

• Increase funding for Employment Authorization and Other Application Processing, Backlog Reduction, and Integration Funding: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the agency responsible for employment authorization and houses the Asylum Corps, who conduct asylum interview screenings and adjudications.

• Increase Funding for Legal Representation, Child Advocates and Post-Release Services for Unaccompanied Children: Funds for legal representation must be increased because unaccompanied toddlers and children continue to appear in U.S. immigration courts without a lawyer.

• Create and expand legal pathways to citizenship, including work permits and labor protections, so the millions of migrants who are already our neighbors can stay here and thrive here.

Add your name to tell Congress to reject any immigration policies that send taxpayer dollars to the Israeli military or to harm vulnerable immigrant communities.

“Tough on immigration” rhetoric from both parties―including presidents of both parties―hasn’t done anything to fix our broken immigration system. Both parties have engaged in fear mongering and have proposed policies rooted in racism and xenophobia. We must not vilify or lock up people who are simply trying to seek a better life.

Thank you for fighting for the humanity of marginalized communities.

In solidarity,

Rashida