Local members of Defund Hate Campaign Have a Holiday Message for Congress and Biden: Cut funds from ICE and CBP before year-end
Washington, D.C. – This week, members of the Defund Hate Campaign representing eight states delivered large-scale holiday-themed cards to demand their members of Congress defund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and instead invest in communities. Communities are pressuring their elected officials in-district ahead of the December 16 continuing resolution deadline to fund the federal government.
“Members of Congress must take bold action in budget negotiations to defund ICE and CBP, agencies that exist only to abuse, traumatize, and tear apart communities by profiling, detaining, and deporting people. Our country’s enforcement-centered approach to immigration has only proven to dehumanize families, friends, and neighbors while denying communities the support they need,” said the Defund Hate Campaign.
Today’s action is set against the backdrop of a proposed bipartisan immigration framework which includes provisions such as the expansion of expedited removal and mandatory detention, an extension of Title 42, and billions of additional taxpayer dollars to ICE and CBP. The White House also has requested that Congress approve additional funds for ICE and Border Patrol above what the agency would receive under a year-long continuing resolution. Advocates say it’s a critical moment to engage with their elected officials to make sure their voices are heard.
“People’s lives should never be used as a bargaining chip, whether they come to the United States seeking safety from persecution, war, and climate catastrophe or are already in the United States fighting to live securely and keep their families intact,” added the Defund Hate Campaign. “Budgets are moral documents that should reflect our shared values of dignity and respect. We urge Congress to make significant cuts to ICE and CBP funding and listen to community demands.”
Erika Martinez, a youth organizer with Make the Road NJ said:
“The Defund Hate holiday message to cut funds from ICE and CBP is sincere and urgent. We care about making our communities safer and healthier, which is why we urge members of Congress, including proclaimed champions of immigrant rights, to chart a new course away from these agencies. In New Jersey, we’re organizing around housing, protections for workers, ending the ICE contract at Elizabeth Detention Center, and much more. We are proud to be part of communities nationwide demanding that governments at every level invest in care.”
Participating organizations included AFSC Colorado, AFSC Florida, Comunidad Maya Pixan, Ixim, Movement for Justice in el Barrio, Freedom for Immigrants, Make the Road NY, Make the Road NJ, and Southern Poverty Law Center.
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The Defund Hate Campaign is led by a coalition of organizations representing directly impacted immigrant communities, faith leaders, and civil and immigrant rights advocates. We are committed to divestment from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), agencies that tear apart loved ones and harm our communities. Instead, we want our tax dollars used to strengthen our families and communities. The coalition unites communities across the country to demand that Congress cut funding for ICE and CBP and instead invest our tax dollars in health care, education, and other vital programs that benefit all of us.