Defend Free Speech, Protect Immigrants, and Prevent Government Retaliation Against Dissent
Ask Members of Congress to defend constitutional rights, conduct oversight of immigration
enforcement practices, and support legislation that protects immigrants from discriminatory
enforcement, detention abuses, and retaliation for lawful speech or activism.
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Core Ask for Congressional Offices
Urge Members of Congress to support legislation protecting immigrants’ constitutional rights,
conduct oversight of DHS and ICE enforcement practices, oppose enforcement near sensitive
locations like houses of worship and schools, and ensure immigration enforcement is never
used to target political speech, activism, or religious identity.
📌
Main message: Immigration enforcement must respect due process, religious
freedom, free speech, and equal protection — and Congress must step in when these safeguards
are weakened.
What Delegates Should Ask For
Keep the ask clear, direct, and easy for staff to take back to the Member.
Top Priority
Support Legislation Protecting Constitutional Rights
Ask the office to support bills that strengthen due process, counsel access, and protection
against discriminatory immigration actions.
⚖️ Ask: Support legislation defending due process, equal protection, and counsel access
🛡️ Goal: Rebuild safeguards against abusive detention and discriminatory enforcement
DHS / ICE
Conduct Oversight of Enforcement Practices
Ask the office to scrutinize expanded expedited removal, courthouse arrests, detention abuse,
and other enforcement practices that weaken civil liberties.
🔍 Ask: Demand oversight of DHS and ICE enforcement conduct
🏛️ Goal: Prevent unchecked enforcement authority from eroding constitutional protections
Religious Freedom
Oppose Enforcement Near Houses of Worship, Schools, and Hospitals
Ask the office to oppose immigration enforcement actions in or near spaces where families
seek worship, care, education, and safety.
🕌 Ask: Restore protections for sensitive locations
🤝 Goal: Ensure people can seek care, prayer, and education without fear
Bills Delegates Should Mention
Use these in meetings and in follow-up emails to congressional staff.
NO BAN Act
H.R. 1333 / S. 1891
Religious Freedom
NO BAN Act
Limits sweeping presidential travel bans based on religion or nationality and creates
stronger congressional oversight to prevent another Muslim Ban-style policy.
Access to Counsel
H.R. 944 / S. 391
Due Process
Access to Counsel Act
Guarantees that individuals detained for secondary inspection at ports of entry can consult
with legal counsel.
New Way Forward
H.R. 2374
Detention Reform
New Way Forward Act
Reforms detention and deportation policy by restoring due process protections, expanding
judicial review, and limiting overly broad deportation authorities.
Birthright Citizenship
H.Res. 1038
Equal Protection
Defend the Fourteenth Amendment Resolution
Reaffirms birthright citizenship under the Fourteenth Amendment and rejects efforts to
undermine this constitutional guarantee.
Why This Matters
Use these themes to keep the meeting focused and persuasive.
Immigration Enforcement Raises Civil Liberties Concerns
The fact sheet argues that recent enforcement changes have expanded detention and deportation
while weakening humanitarian safeguards and limiting due process protections.
Religious Freedom Is Directly Affected
Enforcement near houses of worship discourages attendance and undermines the free exercise
of religion by making religious spaces feel unsafe.
Free Speech Must Be Protected
Immigration enforcement must never be used to retaliate against individuals for lawful
political activism, dissent, or civic engagement.
Case Study for Meetings
This is a concrete example delegates can raise when discussing oversight and retaliation concerns.
Case Study
Speech & Due Process
Leqaa Kordia
The fact sheet highlights Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian woman living in the United States since
2016, who was detained during a routine immigration check-in and remains in custody despite
not being convicted of any crime. It argues that her case raises concerns about due process
and the possible use of detention to chill lawful political expression. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
⚖️ Oversight ask: Members of Congress should call for accountability and review of the case
🗣️ Core principle: Immigration detention should never be used to silence dissent
How to Frame the Conversation
Simple, disciplined language helps keep your ask strong.
🛂 Start with principle: Immigration enforcement must respect due process and civil liberties.
🕌 Make it concrete: Worship spaces, schools, and hospitals should not become zones of fear.
🗣️ Protect dissent: Government power cannot be used to punish lawful speech or activism.
👨👩👧 Human impact matters: Family separation, wrongful detention, and fear reduce trust in public institutions.
📣 Return to the ask: Support the bills, conduct oversight, and oppose discriminatory enforcement practices.
Why Congressional Action Matters
These are strong closing points for the end of the meeting.
Protects Constitutional Rights
Congressional action helps ensure due process, free speech, and equal protection are not sidelined.
Defends Religious Freedom
People should be able to attend worship services without fear of surveillance or arrest nearby.
Strengthens Trust
Communities are safer when residents are not afraid to seek care, go to school, worship, or speak out.