Jewish Americans send 10,000 letters to Congress rejecting increased funding for ICE and calling to impeach DHS Secretary Kristi Noem

Jewish Democratic Leaders and Activists Mobilize to Counter Trump’s Authoritarian Attacks on Immigrants and American Citizens

WASHINGTON – The Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) mobilized activists, Jewish leaders, and state Jewish caucuses across the country to send nearly 10,000 letters in opposition to the Trump administration’s authoritarian attacks on Minneapolis and the deaths of two American citizens. A letter to congressional leadership, organized by JDCA and signed by leaders of Jewish Democratic state caucuses, urged Congress to conduct rigorous oversight of ICE and investigations into the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. 

Through digital advocacy letters to Congress circulated by JDCA, Jewish Americans sent nearly 10,000 letters calling for Secretary Noem’s impeachment and urging their members of Congress to oppose increased funding for ICE in the absence of safeguards and credible investigations. These letters were sent prior to the Senate vote on DHS funding later this week. JDCA is the only Jewish organization calling for no increased funding for ICE and for Secretary Noem’s impeachment. 

Halie Soifer, JDCA CEO, said, “The Jewish community is rightfully outraged by the authoritarian tactics and violence perpetrated by the Trump Administration against immigrants and American citizens. Such actions are a direct violation of our values, and we therefore have an obligation to stand up and speak out. The instability and chaos caused by ICE’s deployment to American cities is also a threat to our democracy and all marginalized communities, and we vehemently oppose the use of lethal force against Americans exercising their rights.

“The brutal and inhumane actions of ICE require rigorous congressional oversight and credible investigations, and the removal of Kristi Noem from her current position as head of the Department of Homeland Security. Atrocities have occurred on her watch, and instead of encouraging a credible investigation of the deaths of two American citizens, she lied to the American people about what transpired in Minneapolis. We are grateful to the Jewish state caucuses and organizations that have joined us in calling for oversight of ICE, and the thousands of Jewish Americans who have written to Congress in opposition to increased ICE funding and in support of Sec. Noem’s impeachment. We will continue to advocate for our values, and call on others in the Jewish community and beyond to join us.”

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