The United Church of Christ grieves the senseless murders of Alex Pretti, Renee Nicole Good, Keith Porter, and all whom have suffered under the abuses of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These killings are part of a broader pattern of unchecked violence and disregard for the dignity of life perpetuated by federal immigration enforcement agencies. As a justice-seeking faith community, we urge Congress to vote NO to any funding bill that would increase funding for ICE.  

Congress is debating a funding bill that would give ICE an additional $6.2 billion and 50,000 more beds for detention centers. We cannot allow this. An increase in DHS’s budget will mean more deaths, more deportations, and greater suffering for immigrants and those who love them.  

While it is essential the government remains open to fund common good programs, it is morally unacceptable for Congress to support additional funding for ICE amidst the rise in unchecked violence at the hands of ICE agents. We urge Congress to reject this bill and choose to fund the government without sending any additional money to an agency that continues to unleash violence on our communities.  

With heightened immigration enforcement touching every aspect of American life, this increased budget would further ICE’s horrific agenda to terrorize God’s children. In addition to terror on the streets, the ICE funding will expand the inhumane detention centers. Conditions in detention centers are dire. There are reports of fluorescent lights shining around the clock, spoiled food for meals, dirty drinking water, a lack of access to necessary medical care, and physical and sexual violence against detainees.   

Our faith demands that we speak out against these injustices. With the billions of dollars being used to harm our neighbors, our government could choose to feed the hungry, care for the sick, and house the unhoused as Jesus calls us to do. Instead, harm abounds. God weeps with us over these tragedies and calls us to take meaningful action.

Call on your elected officials today to vote NO on any funding bill that would increase funding for ICE!