Protect lifesaving services and communities
Friend,
Over the last few weeks, we’ve watched federal enforcement actions in Minneapolis escalate into more deadly violence. Two U.S. citizens were shot and killed by masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in the midst of a large immigration enforcement operation in the state. Communities are rightfully heartbroken over these terrible losses and fearful for the safety of their loved ones—immigrant and citizen alike. In Minneapolis and across the country, families want accountability from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—which funds ICE and CBP—and an end to the use of lethal force against civilians.
Public outcry over these actions comes at a critical time, with Congress making final decisions on the federal budget this week. The Senate is currently considering funding for ICE and CBP in a package that, unfortunately, also includes funding for addiction treatment and other critical health services that we fought so hard for. And we cannot support investments in health that are conditioned on approving funding that harms our neighbors and communities.
That’s why we need your help urging Congress to reject more DHS funding by removing it from the broader spending package—and instead move forward with the other spending bills, including the Labor, Health, and Human Services (LHHS) bill to fund critical addiction treatment and overdose prevention services.
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We can’t let Congress hold overdose prevention and addiction treatment hostage to continue funding dangerous activities by ICE and CBP that are creating fear and instability. Instead of funding cruelty and violence through immigration enforcement, Americans want safety and health: better jobs, accessible housing, and affordable healthcare. These are the things that contribute to making communities safer, healthier, and stronger because they make sure people have help in times of crisis and can lead fulfilled lives.
We have to be clear about the tradeoffs to safety that are happening. When Trump signed the “Big Beautiful Bill”, it jeopardized millions of Americans’ access to food assistance and healthcare and stripped $1 trillion from Medicaid – the largest source of addiction treatment in the U.S -- all in order to increase funding for immigration enforcement by $170 billion and fund tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy.
Care for people who use drugs isn’t the only thing under attack. The Trump administration is undermining community safety by cutting housing, youth crisis‑prevention, and violence‑prevention programs. Prioritizing enforcement over care leaves people facing addiction, health crises, or economic hardship with fewer services, higher costs, and less access to lifesaving support.
Fortunately, pressure from people like you is making a difference. Earlier this month, the Trump administration reversed their termination of over $2 billion in mental health, recovery, and overdose prevention grants due to intense public pushback. And now people are pushing back again, urging Congress not to use critical overdose prevention and addiction treatment as a pawn in the budget fight.
With a vote as soon as tomorrow, please join the growing chorus of voices urging the Senate to fund health, not harm. Speak up now: tell your Senators to protect funding for health and addiction services and oppose new funding for DHS, ICE and CBP: [link removed]
Sincerely,
Maritza Perez Medina
Director, Federal Affairs
Drug Policy Alliance
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