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Immigrant Rights are Disability Rights: ICE & Law Enforcement Violence Must End

The cruel treatment of our disabled and non-disabled Black, brown and immigrant community members by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents and law enforcement is an outrage. The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) expresses solidarity with those impacted, including those who receive caregiving services from immigrants. People with disabilities face an increased threat of violence and detention from DHS agents, while disabled people of color face a higher risk of violence from law enforcement across the board, according to a recent article, The Danger ICE Poses to the Disabled Community by Alison Stine. The dehumanization, threats, and violence against immigrants and all marginalized people in the U.S. must end, and DHS funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection Enforcement (CBP) kidnappings and detentions halted.

ICE & Law Enforcement Actions Create Fear of Attending School, Accessing Care

In addition to our undocumented community members, disabled people and caregivers of color who are citizens or otherwise have legal status fear leaving their homes due to the risk of racial profiling and violence from often unidentifiable ICE officers and other law enforcement. ICE has been separating family members and instilling fear by targeting schools, which should be spaces safe enough for parents, children, relatives, and teachers to focus on educating young people. Schools in areas with high ICE activity are offering remote learning after noticing a drop in attendance. However, students with disabilities may still have setbacks and barriers, since they often are not well supported by virtual learning.

Parents of children with disabilities or illnesses have additional concerns about how to protect their children. The risk of being assaulted or killed during a law enforcement encounter has always been higher, but now they also might be kidnapped and detained without access to necessary supports or medical care. They are forced to prepare in case a caregiver is arrested.

ICE Actions are Deadly & Deny Critical Disability Supports

Disabled immigrants and U.S. citizens, like Aliya Rahman, have been dragged from their cars, and brutalized; others have been abducted from hospitals or other healthcare settings. People with disabilities face detention conditions that deprive them of access to necessary healthcare and disability supports.

Members of Congress sent letters to DHS last August and this February regarding disabled people’s treatment. Both letters provide detailed accounts of DHS agents denying access to medication, assistive devices, and means of communication. The letters requested a response to questions, including steps the administration will take to protect the rights, health, and lives of individuals with disabilities. As of now, DHS has not responded.

Detention and targeted violence from ICE and other law enforcement is traumatic and can also leave a lasting negative impact on those who experience it. It 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. People with preexisting mental health disabilities have been documented as having a worsening of their disabilities after detention due to the additional trauma, isolation, and medical and health neglect that is commonly part of the ICE detention experience. This means that ICE is creating and worsening disabilities through their detention practices.

ICE Targets Our Caregivers

Immigrant Black and brown caregivers and caregiving allies are being targeted with dire consequences to both the caregivers and the disabled people who rely on their care.

It is estimated that 28% of all direct care workers are immigrants. Countless individuals with disabilities have lost the caregivers they depend on due to ICE action.

Deceased Veterans Affairs nurse Alex Pretti was a vital partner to the disabled vet community. His last action prior to being shot by ICE was to provide care to a protester suffering the effects of tear gas.

On October 28, 2025, 30-year-old Wael Tarabishi’s father, Maher Tarabishi, was detained by ICE when he left his routine immigration check-in appointment. Wael, a disabled man with a rare condition, insisted that without his father’s caregiving, he would die. After a month in the intensive care unit, Wael passed away on January 23, 2026. Wael’s death was the direct result of ICE action. Adding to the indecency, ICE denied the request for Wael’s father to be released to attend his son’s funeral. These cruel and unconscionable injustices must end.

ICE and CBP Funding and Violence Must End

Pouring more money into ICE harms immigrants and families, including those with disabilities and their caregivers. ICE and CBP enforcement and detention center funding must cease immediately. ICE and CBP must be prohibited from places of worship, schools, healthcare settings, our streets, and homes. Failure to take decisive action will continue to put the health, safety, and well-being of our communities at risk. Congress and our tax dollars should fund care, access, representation, and basic dignity, not cruelty, detention and deportation.

Know Your Rights, Disability and ICE Out Advocacy Resources

We encourage the disability community and our allies to learn about threats to disability and immigrant lives and rights. Join local and national campaigns to protect ourselves and each other. Call for an end to ICE funding and violence in our communities.

Disclaimer: We provide these resources with the understanding that immigrant communities are being targeted by this current administration, and expectations for safety following these steps are not guaranteed. Please trust your instincts and understand the risks when interacting with federal offices.

Know Your Rights & Resources for Encounters with Immigration Officials

For Disabled People

For Immigrants & Targeted Communities

For Students & Educators

For All of Us

Statements & Letters Opposing ICE Actions and Funding

Press and Background: Community Impacts & Responses

Immigrant, Disability & Community Organizations to Support

Take Action

Provide feedback, suggest additional resources, or ask questions by sending an email to info@dredf.org.

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