ACLU Supporter –

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention has long been known for its abuse and cruelty. Use of solitary confinement, patterns of sexual abuse, nonconsensual gynecological procedures, and a failure to protect people from deadly COVID-19 conditions have all been reported from inside its facilities – and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Despite these harmful systemic problems, Congress still allocates billions of dollars toward maintaining these detention facilities, year after year. It must be stopped – and that's why we're writing you today about a critical and urgent action to take:

President Biden and Congressional leaders have recently proposed cutting ICE detention capacity for next year. If Congress passes these cuts, it will help shrink an abusive system that needlessly locks up members of our community and people seeking asylum.

But we'll need to turn the pressure up if we want to see real change happen – and your voice will make a huge difference in that. So please, take a quick minute to send your Members of Congress a message and demand they reduce funding for immigrant detention now.

ACLU Supporter, the immigration detention system in this country is fundamentally flawed, causes needless suffering, and is marked by widespread abuse.

Moreover, detained immigrants are made to face even greater obstacles when it comes to challenging their detention and deportation – including barriers to finding and communicating with attorneys. That means navigating a complicated immigration case behind bars, in inhumane conditions, and separated from loved ones and the outside world.

It's inexcusable. Our taxpayer dollars should not be funding an abusive immigration detention system – and it's time we let our leaders know it.

So please, urge Congress to reduce funding for ICE detention and protect the dignity and humanity of immigrants today.

Thank you,

Anu Joshi
Pronouns: She, her, hers
Deputy Director, Equality Division, ACLU