The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) strongly condemns the House vote to increase funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and urges the Senate to reject the proposed FY26 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill. DREDF supports Minnesotans during today’s ICE Out of MN Day of Truth and Freedom, and the National Day of Solidarity with Minnesota.
We are deeply concerned for our disabled and non-disabled Black, brown, and immigrant community members, disabled people who are family members of immigrants, or who receive caregiving services from immigrants. As is noted in a recent article, The Danger ICE Poses to the Disabled Community, people with disabilities face an increased threat of violence from DHS agents and detention, and disabled people of color face a higher risk of violence from law enforcement across the board.
The FY26 DHS Funding Bill increases key harmful ICE funding lines, including $400 million more for detention and $370 million more for enforcement. This funding is on top of the unprecedented $45 billion received through the 2025 reconciliation bill, paid for by cuts to Medicaid and nutrition assistance.
Detention and targeted violence from ICE and other law enforcement can lead to and exacerbate physical and mental health disabilities. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder are commonly reported both during and following detention. Immigrants and others with preexisting mental health disabilities may face additional trauma, isolation, and medical and health neglect, leading to worsening of their disabilities after detention.
The FY26 DHS funding bill fails to provide meaningful oversight. The bill includes money for body cameras despite the fact that ICE and Border Patrol are already targeting and harming people, including disabled people, while being recorded. While the bill includes funds for the DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) to inspect detention facilities, it includes no requirements for DHS to respond to the OIG’s findings.
There are documented accounts of deprivation of medical care and necessary accommodations. 32 people reportedly died in ICE custody last year. An August 2025 oversight letter to DHS from more than 30 House members detailed alarming mistreatment of disabled detainees. There are no signs that treatment has improved.
Pouring more money into ICE harms immigrants and families, including those with disabilities and caregivers. Congress should fund care, access, representation, and basic dignity, not detention and deportation. We urge a NO vote on the FY26 DHS Funding Bill and solidarity with Minnesota and all impacted communities.
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Founded in 1979, DREDF is a cross-disability national civil rights law and policy center led by individuals with disabilities and parents who have children with disabilities. Our mission is to advance the civil and human rights of people with disabilities, including immigrants of all ages and their families, through legal advocacy, training, education, public policy and legislative development. We envision a just world where all people, with and without disabilities, live full, joyful, pleasurable lives free of discrimination and oppression.
Take Action
Contact your Senators and Representatives today. Thank your House members who voted for community safety and against increasing ICE funding. Tell your Senators clearly: Don’t increase funding for ICE. Protect our communities. Use this form to take action.
