Editor’s note: The Coalition on Human Needs sent this letter to every Senate office on April 22, 2026, opposing the FY 2026 budget resolution, and any vehicle that paves the way for additional funding for ICE and federal immigration enforcement and detention. CHN also opposes any amendments that attack basic needs programs or further jeopardize the health and safety of immigrant communities. At a time when so many in communities across the country are struggling with rising costs of living, we urge Congress to reject attempts to fast-track additional funds for ICE and CBP while cutting programs that help people meet their basic needs.

Dear Senator:

On behalf of the Coalition on Human Needs and our 118 member organizations, we urge you to vote NO on the FY 2026 budget resolution and any legislative vehicle that allows for additional funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In addition, as you consider amendments on the Senate floor, we strongly urge you to oppose any amendments that cause further harm by attacking our immigrant neighbors and/or attack access to basic needs programs.

The Coalition on Human Needs brings together human service providers, faith communities, policy experts, civil rights and labor organizations, and others committed to meeting the needs of people with low incomes. Our members report how enforcement actions lead to more families struggling to put food on the table, parents fearing to take children to school, patients not seeking medical care, workers not reporting abuses, and survivors too nervous to ask for help. Over 250 organizations joined a letter we sent to you last month urging meaningful, enforceable safeguards that protect children and families and treat them with dignity. When communities live in fear, access to health care, housing, food, and economic security is undermined.

This is a moment to take a stand. Families are being torn apart. Children are traumatized. Neighborhoods are destabilized by enforcement operations that have already cost lives. Congress must not undermine the bipartisan appropriations process to fast track as much as $140 billion more for ICE and CBP via the budget resolution in front of you this week. These agencies already received $170 billion in last year’s budget reconciliation package without oversight or accountability. H.R. 1 also made historic cuts Medicaid and SNAP — programs that keep families healthy and children fed. Those were budgetary choices about priorities; they were the wrong choices.

Rather than continuing to pour billions more into detention and enforcement, Congress should redirect resources toward health care, housing stability, nutrition assistance, education, and other investments that strengthen families and communities. We know that many in communities across the country are struggling with rising costs of living. We are outraged that policymakers are focused on fast-tracking tens of billions in additional funds for ICE and CBP while cutting benefits that help hardworking Americans meet their basic needs.

During floor debate, we strongly urge you to vote NO on all amendments that pave the way to further cuts to basic needs programs by assigning so-called “savings” to other committees or other measures. In addition, we joined 266 other organizations to stand in solidarity with immigrant communities under attack by urging you to vote NO on all amendments to the budget resolution that will harm immigrant communities. We recognize there is often limited time to review specific amendments, and hope you will do no additional harm during these votes.

The Coalition on Human Needs calls on you to reject the budget resolution – do not give ICE and CBP additional funding, and instead prioritize human needs. This is a moment for constitutional responsibility, fiscal stewardship, and moral clarity.

Sincerely yours,

Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director