I have many immigrant friends who live day to day in fear. Their lives are filled with uncertainty and anxiety, constantly looking over their shoulders, worried about deportation and the separation from their families. This is not the way life should be for anyone. The existence of ICE creates a climate of fear and hostility.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, established in 2003 under the Department of Homeland Security, has been the spearhead of often aggressive crackdowns on immigrants. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), ICE has a long record of human rights violations, including inhumane detention conditions, racial profiling, and the separation of families. Such actions are incompatible with our ideals of freedom, justice, and human dignity.

The continual operation of ICE impinges on the values of our diverse nation. In fiscal year 2020 alone, ICE spent $8.4 billion on operations, including detention centers that often function like prisons. The destruction caused by these facilities goes beyond financial cost, severing the fabric of communities and causing irreparable damage to families.

The time for change is now. We must take bold steps to end the terror that immigrant communities face by dismantling ICE and creating more humane immigration solutions that respect human rights and promote community safety. Eliminating ICE will allow resources to be allocated towards immigration reform that supports pathways to citizenship, instead of fear and punishment.

Urge Congress to pass comprehensive legislation that addresses this urgent issue. Hold ICE and its officers accountable for their actions against vulnerable populations. Sign this petition to amplify the voices of those living in uncertainty, and to spark legislative change that dismantles ICE and paves the way for a more equitable and compassionate immigration system.