Katy Perry has joined a chorus of celebrities urging US citizens to contact their senators and block a proposed $10 billion increase in funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The call to action comes in response to a series of high-profile fatal shootings by ICE agents during a recent federal crackdown on illegal immigration.
The agency’s enforcement capacity has reportedly surged under President Donald Trump, rising from approximately 10,000 to 22,000 agents.
During recent operations, ICE has been implicated in the deaths of two individuals.
Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old legal observer, was shot and killed in her car by an ICE officer weeks ago during a protest.
Alex Pretti, an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse nurse, was shot multiple times and killed last Saturday after filming ICE officers’ actions.
Following his death, ICE labeled Pretti a local terrorist targeting law enforcement, a claim disputed by activists and witnesses who say he was pinned down before being shot.
In a series of Instagramslides, Perry provided a direct script for her followers to use, stressing that citizens have until January 30 to oppose the new funding, which would be in addition to ICE’s existing $75 billion budget.
The script she shared instructs callers to urge their senators to filibuster the Homeland Security Appropriation Bill,
We have until Friday, January 30th to block $10 billion (on top of the $75b that’s already been funded) from going through to ICE,” she wrote to her over 200 million followers.
Because it’s time to turn anger into action. Call (202) 224-3121 and ask to speak with your senator.
Hi Senator, My name is (Your Name) and I’m a (n) (your state) resident.
I’m calling to urge you to filibuster the upcoming Homeland Security Appropriation Bill. I’m sick of watching lawful citizens and noncitizens being arrested at their jobs assaulted at peaceful protests, pulled out of their vehicles, blinded by munitions, getting shot and killed by ICE.
We will be watching your vote – and we will remember.
Again my name is (your name) and my contact info is (your phone number and/ or email).
Perry is not alone in her condemnation. Actor Pedro Pascal called for a national strike and the disbandment of ICE, claiming the agency has killed nine people since the start of the year.
Singer Billie Eilish also shared videos online depicting what she characterized as vicious attacks by ICE agents on U.S. citizens.
