Dear John,  

Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, no matter where we come from. Yet every year, the federal government wastes more than $25 billion on jailing and deporting immigrants, dramatically expanding a deadly immigration enforcement system that fails to uphold our values. 

Will you join AFSC and the Defund Hate Coalition in taking action this week?

It’s time to stop funding cruelty against immigrants. Right now, Congress is negotiating the budget for fiscal year 2021, and immigrant communities and allies across the country are urging elected officials to cut funding to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP)—and redirect our tax dollars to health care, education, and other programs that promote health and safety for all. 

Take action to demand that Congress defund ICE and CBP and invest in our communities! 

1. Register now for our Defund Hate virtual phone bank (today, Dec. 3, 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT). We’ll help you take real-time action by calling elected officials to reduce funding for ICE and CBP. Make sure to invite a friend. 

2. Send a message to your elected officials: Sign the petition to tell Congress to tell them NO more funding for ICE and CBP! 

3. Watch a recording of our Facebook townhall conversation: Hear from Black immigrant rights leaders about what's at stake for Black immigrants organizing to stop the deadly detention and deportation machine—and how you can support our efforts. 

Even in this pandemic, ICE and CBP continue to detain thousands of immigrants in unsanitary jails, placing them at greater risk to their lives and health. 

We hope you join us this week to urge Congress to stop funding cruelty against immigrants—and call for a world where the rights and dignity of all of our community members are respected.   

In solidarity, 

Peniel Ibe
AFSC Policy Engagement Coordinator