A deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security without more money for ICE or Border Patrol is nearing the finish line thanks to Common Cause members’ pressure on lawmakers. 

A month ago, more funding for ICE and Border Patrol seemed certain in Congress despite their lawless behavior in Minnesota and elsewhere. Now, pressure from Common Cause and its members have achieved “not one more penny” for ICE in addition to the removal of former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.  

“Donald Trump caved,” said Virginia Kase Solomón, Common Cause President and CEO. “More than 250,000 Common Cause members called their representatives, wrote letters, and spoke out to demand not one more penny for ICE—and forced this outcome. This is what people power looks like, and we’re just getting started because we won’t stop until we get ICE reforms and accountability.” 

Common Cause, along with allies, has made several demands to reform DHS in the wake of its abuse of power in Minnesota and all over the United States. Three of those demands – not one more penny for ICE in DHS funding, the removal of Kristi Noem, and Congressional oversight hearings have been met. The final two demands – no more ICE or Border Patrol surges in any community and federal cooperation into deaths at the hands of ICE and Border Patrol, are still active. 

This week, Common Cause launched ads at Philadelphia International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to pressure Donald Trump to pay TSA workers. Late Thursday Trump said he would sign an executive order to do so. Early Friday morning, the Senate passed legislation to do so, which is pending in the House.