Increasing mass deportation and detention to deter immigration is not only ineffective, but it also puts people in extreme danger. Asylum seekers who flee persecution come to the U.S. looking for security and peace. When legal pathways are blocked, they are often forced to turn to human smugglers in Mexico — exposing them to violence, kidnapping, extortion, and sexual assault.
These cruel policies will also hurt our neighbors, friends, families, and communities. They target hard-working and law-abiding immigrants for arrest and deportation while tearing families apart. Research consistently shows that as the immigrant share of the population grows, crime rates decline, and economists overwhelmingly agree that immigration strengthens the economy and drives growth.
Yet, politicians continue to villainize asylum seekers and immigrants, using falsehoods to stoke fear and uncertainty among the public. They're justifying enormous spending increases to fund a militarized border and ICE raids while cutting access to essential social services and programs, like Medicaid and food assistance.
We need to reach out to the members of Congress NOW and insist they get their priorities straight.
Tell your elected officials: VOTE NO on proposed spending for mass deportation, more detention, and family separation — invest our tax dollars on services and programs that strengthen families, communities, and our nation.