John,

ICE was built on violence and racism, and it cannot be reformed. I grew up in Southwest Detroit, close to the U.S.-Canada border, and when ICE was created a little more than 20 years ago, agents stopped my neighbors in public asking for their immigration status.

Back then, community members demanded Congress stop funding ICE, and started warning us that ICE is too militarized. They’re right: ICE and Border Patrol agents are terrorizing our communities with military-grade assault rifles, tear gas, and other weapons used only in war zones.

Where do they get the money for this equipment, or for their $50,000 signing bonuses? From our government, using our tax dollars.

Right now, Congress is negotiating and voting on how much of our tax dollars to send to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—which includes ICE and Border Patrol. Congress has a February 13 deadline to pass a new funding bill for DHS.

Republicans need Democrats’ votes in order to pass this bill, so Democrats have leverage here to stop our tax dollars from funding ICE terror.

In addition to blocking this year’s funding for ICE and CBP, we need to push for policies that revoke the billions given to these agencies in last year’s Big Betrayal Bill. That’s in line with what the American people are demanding, and Congresspeople have a duty to represent their constituents.

Please sign the petition to demand Congress refuse any funding for ICE or Border Patrol and rescind the $75 billion given to ICE in last year’s Big Brutal Bill.

On top of the billions of dollars already allocated to ICE for the year, Trump’s bill last year hugely expanded ICE and funded the agency, as well as Border Patrol, for many years. These agencies don’t need another cent.

Meanwhile, Congress made a $1 trillion cut to healthcare last year. Congress cannot keep investing in violence rather than healthcare and other needs.

Instead, my colleagues must listen to the people: a recent poll showed that 77% of Democrats want to abolish ICE completely.

We know more training won’t fix this. The ICE agent who killed Renee Good was a trainer himself, who worked with Border Patrol and ICE for 19 years—nearly the entire duration of ICE’s existence.

Instead of continuing the flow of funding with our tax dollars, Congress must end funding for ICE and Border Patrol.

Please sign to tell Congress: ICE can’t be reformed. Defund and abolish it, starting with voting NO on any funding for ICE or Border Patrol this year!

Thank you for taking action. We’ll keep fighting to abolish this agency and to hold the Department of Homeland Security accountable for its constant violation of our rights—inside detention centers, on our streets, and in our homes.

With you in the fight,

Rashida