Washington D.C. – Today, Congress released the text for a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill that would replicate MAGA extremists’ anti-immigrant attacks. The bill would significantly increase the number of beds in ICE detention facilities from 34,000 to nearly 42,000; the highest it’s been since the Trump administration. It would also funnel over $1 billion to ICE and nearly $2 billion to Border Patrol in exchange for slashing humanitarian aid at the border and abroad.
Juliana Macedo do Nascimento, Deputy Director of Federal Advocacy of United We Dream, said:
“Immigrant young people, young people of color, and our allies have made it clear that we deserve a government that invests in us, our future, and the things that keep us truly safe. Over militarization has never made a community safer.
The public stands in overwhelming opposition to government funding bills that trade our lives and safety for more militarism, surveillance, and enforcement. This bill would slash nearly a quarter of funding for non-profits at the border whose focus is to ensure new arrivals have access to the information and resources they need. In exchange, Congress is caving to the white supremacist MAGA fear-mongering by funneling ever-increasing amounts of our taxpayer dollars to border militarization, enforcement agents, and detention beds and programs. This spending bill isn’t just a deep betrayal to border communities, but also to our Palestinian siblings who desperately need humanitarian aid as they suffer famine and bombardment under the Israel government’s U.S.-backed genocide.
We demand legislation that urgently addresses the needs of our communities and divests from genocide, militarism and anti-immigrant violence. Members of Congress must set themselves apart from the MAGA extremists and ensure our government truly reflects the public’s values and priorities. We urge Congress to reject this funding bill, stand up against MAGA’s anti-immigrant hate, and fund the resources and services on the ground that ensure migrants are welcomed with dignity and respect.”
