John, it’s Gabe.

I want to tell you about something I saw last week that really stuck with me.

As part of my job in Congress, I visited one of the ICE detention facilities right here in New Mexico.

I went there to do what every Member of Congress should be doing: asking questions, getting answers, and making sure taxpayer dollars are being used responsibly.

But from the moment I walked in, it was clear ICE didn’t want much scrutiny.

I wasn’t allowed to speak with a single person being detained. The staff told me it was because of “changing policies,” but no one could show me those policies — and no one seemed willing to explain what’s really going on.

And that was just the start, John.

The phones that people rely on to call their lawyers and families were broken. The toilets weren’t working. The medical team was dangerously understaffed. And the ICE officials on site consistently dodged straightforward questions, offering few clear answers about the treatment of the people in custody.

And here’s what hit me the hardest: more than 80% of the people in that facility have no criminal charges or convictions at all.

These aren’t threats to public safety. These are moms, dads, local employees — people just trying to make a life.

Let me be clear: I support secure borders. But what I saw isn’t about safety. It’s about cruelty, mismanagement, and a complete lack of transparency.

And it’s happening on your dime.

That’s why I’m continuing to push legislation like my Humane Accountability Act — to bring real oversight to ICE, set actual standards for how people are treated, and make sure there’s transparency around every dollar being spent.

Because when the government detains people in our name — and with our money — we have a right to know what’s going on. And right now, we’re not getting the truth.

Every person deserves dignity, and every system funded by taxpayers deserves scrutiny. With your help, I'll keep fighting for oversight and real, long-lasting reform.

Thanks for being in this with me,

Gabe Vasquez