To the editor: Columnist Anita Chabria is correct to research how California legislators are leveraging the ability of legal guidelines and laws to carry immigration authorities accountable (“ICE can’t be trusted. Can California drive accountability?,” Jan. 14). However there may be an extra means for accountability. It’s by means of the ability of our votes.
This November, each member of the U.S. Home of Representatives, alongside one-third of the U.S. Senate, will likely be up for election. Congress controls the appropriations course of for the federal authorities and possesses the flexibility to claw again or deny additional funding for companies harming the American public, similar to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Congress had already accepted the president’s signature price range reconciliation invoice, signed into regulation final summer time, which gave an unprecedented $170 billion to immigration enforcement companies to additional inflict hurt on communities.
ICE gained’t be reformed until now we have congressional leaders who’re prepared to make use of their authority over federal funding to carry it accountable for the violence and terror it has wrought in communities throughout the nation. Voters should ship that message this November.
Christian Arana, Los Angeles
This author is vp of civic energy and coverage at Latino advocacy group Latino Group Basis.
