Action Alert!
Ask Congress not to increase funding for DHS
or allocate funding for a border wall
Action needed by December 21
The Issue:
Funding for several government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is set to expire on December 21. Before then, there needs to be an agreement on a funding plan or there could be a risk of a partial government shutdown.
What’s at stake?
Funding proposals could include: funding for the wall at the U.S./Mexico border; additional funding for DHS and ICE to increase enforcement, detention, and deportation efforts; and additional funding to further militarize the border.
This year, we saw the implementation of cruel policies and practices that separated families in order to deter other migrants from seeking safety in the U.S. We have read reports of the irresponsible transfer of funds within the Department of Homeland Security, away from other federal agencies such as FEMA, to be used for enforcement and detention purposes. The Department of Homeland Security should not be rewarded with additional funds.
Recently, we have seen the reports of U.S. Border Patrol agents firing tear gas into crowds of migrants, many of whom were children. We must call this out as appalling and cruel behavior. Let’s also not forget that many of these people are seeking asylum, which is a right protected by federal and international law.
As people of faith, we are called to welcome the stranger, and to treat every person with dignity and respect. We believe that every person is created in the image of God. We recognize the particular vulnerability of children, many of whom have been separated from their parents (and as of mid-October some still were) or subjected to mistreatment due to inhumane enforcement and detention practices of DHS and ICE.
We must speak out against these inhumane practices and policies, which includes asking our Members of Congress and Congressional Leadership to not increase funding to the agencies that are carrying out such cruel treatment.
The Action Needed:
The Ask (modeled after a letter sent to Congressional Leadership from over 200 organizations)
Contact your Members of Congress and Congressional Leadership to ask them to pass a clean short-term Continuing Resolution that would fund the government until the next Congress begins, with no funding increases to the Department of Homeland Security or Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
When the new Congress begins and considers the budget, we urge Congress not to include increases in the budget for DHS or ICE for next year, and to also consider decreasing these budgets. Specifically, urge Congress not to approve additional funds for the creation of a border wall, or for efforts to further militarize the border. Further, ask Congress not to approve funding for additional family immigration detention centers or beds.
Who to Contact:
Call or email your Members of Congress and/or Congressional Leadership:
Connecticut offices for US Senators and Representatives:
Senator Richard Blumenthal: 860.258.6940; https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/contact/ Senator Chris Murphy: 860.549.8463; https://www.murphy.senate.gov/contact
Representative John Larson: 860.278.8888; https://larson.house.gov/contact
Representative Joe Courtney: 860.886.0139; https://courtney.house.gov/contact
Representative Rosa DeLauro: 203.562.3718; https://delauro.house.gov/contact
Representative Jim Himes: 866.453.0028; https://himes.house.gov/contact/email
Representative Elizabeth Esty: 860.223.8412; https://esty.house.gov/contact
Congressional Leadership:
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell: https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactform
Democratic Leader Charles Schumer: https://www.schumer.senate.gov/contact/email-chuck
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan: https://www.speaker.gov/contact
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi: https://www.democraticleader.gov/contact-us/
Sample Message: “My name is ____ and I live in ___. I’m calling to urge you to oppose any funding increase for DHS or ICE. I urge you to stand up against efforts to secure funding to be used to build a wall at the U.S./Mexico border. As a person of faith, this issue is important to me because…Thank you.”
Want to learn more?
“The Outgoing Congress Shouldn’t Reward Trump With More Homeland Security Funding” (ACLU blog, November 14, 2018)
“Government Use of Tear Gas Is Illegal in War. It Should Be Illegal Here, Too.” (ACLU blog, November 28, 2018)
“The Price Tag of Migrant Family Separation: $80 Million and Rising” (NYT, November 20, 2018)
“Fear Is Not a Faithful Response to Those Seeking Asylum” (Sojourners, October 31, 2018)
Thank you for your advocacy efforts!
