To the Editor,
At a time when many families in the Utica Rome Metro area are struggling to afford basic needs, health care and the rising price of gasoline, Congress should not approve additional funding for ICE and Customs and Border Patrol.
In recent federal spending, Department of Homeland Security was allocated unprecedented resources to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), yet there is still limited public accounting of how those funds are being used.
Although we strongly believe that immigration laws need to be enforced and both parties need to complete rational and complete immigration policies, reports of enforcement actions have also raised concerns about due process, use of force, and whether current practices align with constitutional protections. While the purported targets of immigration efforts were people who committed criminal activities – again something we have no problem with – recent immigration enforcement has targeted mainly long-standing immigrants who have a record of only positive contributions to our communities and society at large. And, if people are going to be deported due to minor traffic infractions, there would be a lot of citizens who would need to be rounded up!
Oversight is not a partisan issue. It is a constitutional responsibility. At a time when federal immigration enforcement agencies have unparalleled funding and have done irreparable harm to our communities, Congress should reject any new funding for ICE and CBP.
In our Central New York area we know that strong communities depend on trust, fairness, and responsible use of public funds. Congress should prioritize those values.
Sincerely,
Lewellyne Blanchard
League of Women Voters Utica Rome Metro Area
