[1]Swing LeftSwing Left
Friend,
It’s easy to feel powerless in moments like this. After all, how can a
single donation or action make a meaningful difference when we are
grieving people killed and harmed at the hands of ICE? And when ICE is
supported by an immigration enforcement budget bigger than any military in
the world except the U.S. and China?
But there are real levers of power that can influence what happens next.
One of the most important is control of the U.S. House, which would
meaningfully change what’s possible when it comes to stopping ICE's
abuses.
Among Congressional Democrats, much of the debate on ICE right now is
focused on policy, and the range of views is wide. And while Democrats are
currently holding unofficial hearings on the issue, these lack the
subpoena power of an official hearing that is possible with a House
majority. So in order to make further progress, Democrats first need
governing power.
With a Democratic House majority, here are the concrete steps Democrats
will have the power to take:
* Use the power of the budget to put guardrails on ICE. A Democratic
majority would have leverage to limit ICE funding and force
accountability. Under Trump’s “big beautiful bill”, Republicans
approved $75 billion through 2029 to expand detention facilities and
increase recruitment. This happened because Republicans control the
House—turning ICE funding into a political weapon. A Democratic
majority would be able to constrain this funding.
* Launch oversight and investigations with subpoena powers that aren’t
being used under Republican leadership. Committees could subpoena ICE
leadership, compel testimony from agents and field officers, and hold
public hearings that force the people running these operations into
the daylight—before Congress and the American people. That visibility
itself is a form of accountability. House committees can also decide
who testifies. That means elevating impacted families and legal
experts who can directly challenge false narratives. Oversight and
investigations aren’t happening right now, not because they can’t
happen, but because the House is controlled by the same party that
helped expand ICE’s power.
None of this requires passing sweeping legislation overnight. Much of it
will come simply from having the power to investigate, question, and
withhold cooperation—things that are much harder to accomplish without a
majority.
This is why individual actions still matter—even when they feel small. On
their own, a donation or conversation with a voter might not seem like
much. But collectively working in strategic, tangible ways to help
Democrats take back the House is how governing power is built.
If we want oversight, accountability, and real constraints on ICE to be on
the table—not just as talking points, but as governing tools—then winning
the House is crucial.
[ [link removed] ]If you want a way to take action right now, sign up to volunteer with
Ground Truth, our program focused on listening to and rebuilding trust
with swing district voters.
[ [link removed] ]Volunteer Now
[ [link removed] ]Or, consider making a donation of $25, or any amount you
can, to support Swing Left’s work to elect a Democratic majority this
November.
[ [link removed] ]Donate $25 Now
Thank you for being part of this collective effort to build the power
needed to make change.
In solidarity,
Yasmin Radjy
Executive Director, Swing Left
You can unsubscribe from this mailing list at any time:
[link removed]
