Featured Issue: Pushing for DHS Reforms in the FY2026 Budget
On February 3, 2026, Congress passed a consolidated spending bill and gave DHS short term funding through February 13, 2026. That leaves DHS as the only federal agency without funding through the end of the fiscal year.
AILA urges Members of Congress to vote no on increased funding for DHS and insist upon vital reforms before passing any DHS spending bill. AILA members and the public should take action now and tell Congress to enact DHS reforms.
In recent months, ICE and Border Patrol have employed increasingly violent, aggressive, unlawful, and unconstitutional tactics during enforcement operations. DHS agents have shot over a dozen people since September and killed U.S. citizens Keith Porter, Renee Nicole Good, and Alex Pretti, as well as Mexican national Silverio Villegas González. DHS cannot be allowed to continue terrorizing communities. Members of Congress must enact measures to rein in DHS before passing any funding for DHS.
Poll after poll shows Americans want this out-of-control agency reined in and want public safety and sanctity restored to their communities. To meet this moment, Congress has an opportunity to exercise leadership on immigration and push through reforms that address the public safety crisis and ensure the humane and constitutional enforcement of law.
JOIN AILA’s campaign for Congress to enact the following (described more fully here):
- Ensure enforcement is Constitutional (no racial or other impermissible profiling)
- Stop enforcement at sensitive locations
- End warrantless arrests
- Stop family detention and halt new contracts for private detention
- Require independent investigations and standards on use of force
- Ensure accountability for abuses by federal officers and end qualified immunity
- Stop mission creep by DHS agencies, particularly CBP
- Repeal the Alien Enemies Act or withhold funds for its use
- End the expansion of harmful 287(g) agreements
- End Operation PARRIS (targeting of refugees)
Browse the Featured Issue: Pushing for DHS Reforms in the FY2026 Budget collection
Congressional Democratic Leadership Sends Letter to Republican Leadership with List of Guardrails to Increase Accountability and Protect Americans
Leader Jeffries and Leader Schumer send letter to Speaker Johnson and Leader Thune with a list of 10 reforms Congress should enact to increase accountability and protect Americans following more dangerous and violent enforcement actions across the country.
Practice Alert: What Happens If the Government Shuts Down?
AILA National shares information on how federal agencies may be affected as a result of the potential partial government shutdown. This page will continue to be updated as more information is received.
Urgent Take Action: Urge Your Senators to Vote NO on Increasing DHS Funding
As the Senate continues negotiating funding bills, and a vote potentially loos, AILA is urging Congress to oppose any increase in funding for DHS. Use our advocacy tools to quickly and easily contact your senators and urge them to oppose increased funding for DHS.
Vote Recommendation: AILA Urges Senate to Vote NO on FY2026 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill
AILA sent a vote recommendation to the Senate on 1/26/26 urging a NO vote on the FY2026 Homeland Security Appropriations bill.
AILA Sends List of Demands to Congress Highlighting Measures to be Implemented before Voting for DHS Funding
AILA urges Congress to say NO to funding DHS until measures are implemented to check unlawful DHS policies that are leading to chaos, violence and death in American communities. AILA and coalition partners sent the following 10 demands for Congress to enact before it passes any funding for DHS.
AILA Joins Sign-On Letter Urging Members of Congress to Oppose Increased DHS Funding and Demand Accountability in FY2026 DHS Appropriations
AILA joined an organizational sign-on letter led by the ACLU and other organizations calling on Members of Congress to oppose any increased funding to ICE and CBP through FY2026 appropriations and to demand increased accountability and oversight measures.
Think Immigration: Congress Must Reject Funding for 44,500 Immigration Detention Beds
AILA Policy and Practice Counsel Heather Hogan urges readers to take action and tell Congress to reject increased funding for detention beds, explaining how this funding would mean “a dangerous expansion of a system that is already deadly, wasteful, and deeply flawed. We need to act now to stop it.”
Call to Action: Tell Congress to Vote NO on the FY2026 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill
The American Immigration Lawyers Association urges Congress to oppose any increase in funding for DHS in the FY26 DHS Appropriations Bill. Use AILA’s advocacy tool to call your member of Congress.