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Dear John,

We’ve witnessed many horrific moments over the year since Trump retook office. But I haven’t felt this sad, or so furious, in a long time.

The murders of Alex Pretti and Renee Good are totally unjustifiable. As is the federal occupation of Minnesota and other parts of the country under the guise of immigration enforcement. This is a violent assault on our communities and our rights with profoundly human consequences. Grief is a given. What’s also needed is real leadership in Congress and collective action from all of us.

At Swing Left, our core mission is winning elections. But, as Andrea Jachman, a volunteer leader of Swing Left Twin Cities, one of our grassroots groups, put it, “We can’t win the war until we win the battle.” She asks that you call your senator ahead of this week’s Senate vote to fund a broad swath of the government, including the Department of Homeland Security. Donate to support mutual aid or the legal defense of detained immigrants in Minnesota.

Lastly, I know the midterm elections feel far away when stopping ICE is so immediately necessary. But flipping the House this November will tangibly help. If you missed it, below is our email explaining how.

As you know, and is why you’re here—changing things for the better requires changing who’s in power. It’s all downstream of elections. Which is also why the Department of Justice sent Governor Tim Walz a letter on Saturday demanding Minnesota turn over its voter files to the federal government to “help bring back law and order.” Some, like Senator Chris Murphy, have labeled this a pretext for Trump to take over elections in swing states.

We know what the authoritarian endgame is. And we know how to fight back.

As things continue to evolve, we’ll keep sharing with you what we know.

In solidarity,

Yasmin Radjy
Executive Director
Swing Left

-------- Forwarded message --------
From: Yasmin at Swing Left
Subject: What flipping the House would mean for stopping ICE

John,

It’s easy to feel powerless in moments like this. After all, how can a single donation or action make a meaningful difference when we are grieving people killed and harmed at the hands of ICE? And when ICE is supported by an immigration enforcement budget bigger than any military in the world except the U.S. and China?

But there are real levers of power that can influence what happens next. One of the most important is control of the U.S. House, which would meaningfully change what’s possible when it comes to stopping ICE's abuses.

Among Congressional Democrats, much of the debate on ICE right now is focused on policy, and the range of views is wide. And while Democrats are currently holding unofficial hearings on the issue, these lack the subpoena power of an official hearing that is possible with a House majority. So in order to make further progress, Democrats first need governing power.

With a Democratic House majority, here are the concrete steps Democrats will have the power to take:

• Use the power of the budget to put guardrails on ICE. A Democratic majority would have leverage to limit ICE funding and force accountability. Under Trump’s “big beautiful bill”, Republicans approved $75 billion through 2029 to expand detention facilities and increase recruitment. This happened because Republicans control the House—turning ICE funding into a political weapon. A Democratic majority would be able to constrain this funding.

• Launch oversight and investigations with subpoena powers that aren’t being used under Republican leadership. Committees could subpoena ICE leadership, compel testimony from agents and field officers, and hold public hearings that force the people running these operations into the daylight—before Congress and the American people. That visibility itself is a form of accountability. House committees can also decide who testifies. That means elevating impacted families and legal experts who can directly challenge false narratives. Oversight and investigations aren’t happening right now, not because they can’t happen, but because the House is controlled by the same party that helped expand ICE’s power.

None of this requires passing sweeping legislation overnight. Much of it will come simply from having the power to investigate, question, and withhold cooperation—things that are much harder to accomplish without a majority.

This is why individual actions still matter—even when they feel small. On their own, a donation or conversation with a voter might not seem like much. But collectively working in strategic, tangible ways to help Democrats take back the House is how governing power is built.

If we want oversight, accountability, and real constraints on ICE to be on the table—not just as talking points, but as governing tools—then winning the House is crucial.

If you want a way to take action right now, sign up to volunteer with Ground Truth, our program focused on listening to and rebuilding trust with swing district voters.

Volunteer Now

Or, consider making a donation of $25, or any amount you can, to support Swing Left’s work to elect a Democratic majority this November.

Donate $25 Now

Thank you for being part of this collective effort to build the power needed to make change.

In solidarity,

Yasmin Radjy
Executive Director, Swing Left