I wanted to share an important update on our immigrant justice work with you.
For the last six years — with people like you, alongside movement partners, in the streets and in the halls of power — we have organized for immigrant justice as part of the Defund Hate campaign. Together, we made funding for immigrant detention and deportation a central focus in the fight for immigrant justice, forced legislators and the public to pay attention to this important issue, and secured critical wins. Now, in consideration of what our movement needs, the co-chairs of Defund Hate have decided to sunset the campaign.
As the co-chairs, United We Dream and Detention Watch Network, shared recently:
“As good organizers we know that oftentimes to create something new that meets the moment, we must be willing to close a chapter to make space to learn, assess, and allow new things to emerge… Your partnership has been invaluable in this journey, and this is not the end of our work but a new chapter! We sincerely thank you for the immense commitment, energy, time, and love that you have given to fight for the dignity and well-being of our immigrant communities.
Regardless of this transition, our organizations will continue the fight against abusive immigration enforcement agencies and welcome everyone to stay connected in the struggle alongside us!”
Our Bend the Arc chapters and supporters have done amazing things together as part of the Defund Hate campaign over the last six years:
📞 Drove over 15,000 advocacy calls and emails to Congress and the White House
🏛️ Held hundreds of in-person and virtual lobby visits
✊ Organized dozens of actions alongside movement partners
❌ Blocked $15 billion in requested funding for ICE and CBP
For years, you’ve joined us in telling Congress to cut funding for immigrant detention and deportation and to instead invest in what our communities actually need. And even though Defund Hate is sunsetting, we’re not backing away. Will you take a moment now to stay in the fight and email your members of Congress about this year’s budget?
I’m so proud of how our Jewish movement for justice has shown up in the Defund Hate campaign. Thank you for being in this fight — and for staying in it for the long haul.
Onward,
Arielle Gingold
Policy & Advocacy Strategist, Bend the Arc
