Big News Alert

A disturbing incident unfolded in Minneapolis this week: Renee Good was killed by a federal immigration officer. This tragic event immediately ignited a fierce debate in Washington, coming just as Republicans prepared a homeland security spending bill. Progressive lawmakers are now vehemently demanding that Democrats use the upcoming government funding deadline to finally curtail the power and budget of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

However, despite the outcry and mounting video evidence challenging the official narrative of self-defense, top Democratic leaders like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries seem unwilling to leverage the appropriations process. They appear reluctant to rein in an agency that has been repeatedly accused of excessive force and a lack of accountability.

What Could Go Wrong

The stakes here are incredibly high for American communities. If Democratic leadership fails to act, ICE's budget is set to balloon to an astounding $170 billion, as stipulated by the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." This would effectively expand one of the largest paramilitary forces in the United States with minimal oversight.

Such unchecked power, especially given recent violent incidents, threatens fundamental American values of justice and accountability. Historian Moshik Temkin aptly described ICE as a "bipartisan project," indicating that its expansion has been normalized over multiple administrations. The question remains: will Congress allow this unchecked growth, or will it finally stand up for the people?

Who Must Answer

The American people deserve answers, particularly from their elected representatives. Sen. Chris Murphy, Rep. Delia Ramirez, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are among those rightly calling for immediate action. Jayapal plainly stated,

"We can't just keep authorizing money for these illegal killers. That's what they are, this rogue force."

Yet, Schumer's and Jeffries' reluctance to even discuss using their significant leverage against the Trump administration's "mass deportation operation" is deeply troubling. Critics like Melanie D’Arrigo argue that it's "hard to be an opposition party when you refuse to oppose the blatantly illegal and immoral things." Some, like Emma Vigeland and Sam Seder, are even calling for Schumer's ouster for abandoning his responsibility to wage this fight.

Your Call

When a federal agency is implicated in a civilian's death, and congressional leaders hesitate to demand accountability or rein in its power, it forces us to confront a critical question. Are we truly upholding the principles of a democratic society when we allow such forces to operate with seemingly limitless budgets and minimal oversight?

The decision to fund or defund ICE is not just about budgets; it's about defining the kind of country we want to live in. It's about whether we demand justice and accountability from those who wield immense power. Are you okay with this?