Dozens of Hoosiers gathered outside the offices of Senator Todd Young, Representative Victoria Spartz, and Representative Rudy Yakym on July 20, 2025, to protest a dramatic increase in federal ICE Funding. The demonstration, organized by the Indiana State AFL-CIO, Indivisible Central Indiana, and The Indiana Undocumented Youth Alliance (IUYA), called for investment in healthcare, housing, and education instead of expanding immigration enforcement and detention.
Why Hoosiers Are Protesting ICE Funding
The protests come in response to a new law signed by President Trump in mid-2025. This law provides U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with an unprecedented $150 billion in new funding. The breakdown includes:
- $30 billion for enforcement and deportation operations, tripling the previous budget
- $45 billion for building new immigration detention centers, up from $3.4 billion previously
- $47 billion for border wall construction
The law’s passage marks the largest single-year expansion of ICE’s budget in history. According to analysis from VisaVerge.com, this move makes ICE the highest-funded law enforcement agency in the United States 🇺🇸, with more money for detention than the entire Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Community Voices: Calls for Real Solutions
Protesters argue that the massive increase in ICE Funding diverts taxpayer dollars away from essential services. The Indiana State AFL-CIO, a key organizer, criticized the expansion as a “misallocation of taxpayer dollars,” urging lawmakers to invest in “real solutions” like healthcare, education, and public safety. The union’s statement read, “We need to invest in our communities, not scapegoat our immigrant neighbors or line the pockets of the wealthy.”
The Indiana Undocumented Youth Alliance (IUYA) also voiced strong opposition. IUYA leaders expressed horror at what they described as the “militarization of immigration enforcement,” noting that most immigrants arrested by ICE have little or no criminal record. One IUYA spokesperson said, “This is not about safety. It’s about fear and profit.”
How the New ICE Funding Will Be Used
The law’s funding is already being put to use. ICE has begun issuing contracts and ramping up operations across the country. The $45 billion for new detention centers is being awarded mainly to CoreCivic and GEO Group, the two corporations that already run most immigrant detention facilities in the United States 🇺🇸. Many of these contracts are being issued on a no-bid basis, meaning there is no competition or public review before the money is awarded.
Daniel Costa, director of immigration law and policy research at the Economic Policy Institute, explained, “The bulk of detention funding is going to existing private prison contractors. ICE’s budget now surpasses that of the Federal Bureau of Prisons by about 50%.”
Immediate and Long-Term Effects on Immigrants
For immigrants in Indiana and across the country, the expansion of ICE Funding is expected to lead to a sharp increase in detentions and deportations. With more money for enforcement and new detention centers, ICE will have greater capacity to arrest, detain, and remove people from the United States 🇺🇸. This includes many individuals with no criminal record or only minor offenses.
Community groups warn that this approach will tear families apart and create fear among immigrant communities. They argue that the focus on enforcement ignores the real needs of Hoosiers and other Americans, such as access to affordable healthcare, safe housing, and quality education.
Impact on Indiana Communities
Organizers of the July 20 protest say that increased ICE Funding will hurt Indiana communities by taking resources away from essential services. They point out that the federal government’s decision to spend billions on detention centers and border walls means less money for schools, hospitals, and public safety programs.
The Indiana State AFL-CIO stated, “We need to build up our communities, not break them down. Every dollar spent on detention is a dollar not spent on making Indiana a better place to live and work.”
Private Contractors Benefit from ICE Expansion
The biggest winners from the new ICE Funding are private prison companies like CoreCivic and GEO Group. These corporations already operate most of the country’s immigrant detention centers and stand to gain billions in new contracts. Many of these contracts are being awarded without competitive bidding, raising concerns about oversight and accountability.
Policy experts warn that this approach could lead to waste, abuse, and poor conditions in detention facilities. They also question whether private companies should profit from the detention of immigrants, especially when many detainees have not committed serious crimes.
Federal Officials Defend the Funding Increase
Federal officials argue that the increase in ICE Funding is necessary for national security and immigration control. Border czar Tom Homan said the funding will provide “more boots on the ground,” allowing ICE to enforce immigration laws more effectively.
Supporters of the law say that stronger enforcement is needed to protect the country’s borders and uphold the rule of law. They believe that the new funding will help reduce illegal immigration and keep communities safe.
Policy Experts Raise Concerns
Many policy experts and advocacy groups disagree with the administration’s approach. They argue that the scale of the funding increase is excessive and that the lack of oversight in contract awards is troubling. They also point out that the focus on enforcement and detention does little to address the root causes of migration or help immigrants integrate into American society.
Daniel Costa of the Economic Policy Institute said, “This is a massive shift in federal spending priorities. We’re seeing more money go to enforcement and detention than ever before, with little attention paid to integration or humanitarian solutions.”
Background: A Decade of Debate Over ICE Funding
The debate over ICE Funding and immigration enforcement has grown more heated over the past decade. Periodic surges in funding have often been met with public opposition, especially from immigrant communities and their allies.
The 2025 funding increase stands out as the largest in history, far outpacing previous appropriations. It comes at a time when many Americans are calling for more investment in social services and less spending on law enforcement.
What Hoosiers and Others Can Do
Community groups are urging Hoosiers and other concerned residents to take action. They recommend:
- Contacting elected officials: Residents can reach out to their representatives in Congress to express their views on ICE Funding and urge a shift in spending priorities. The official U.S. House of Representatives website provides contact information for all members.
- Participating in public demonstrations: Organizers plan to continue holding rallies and protests throughout the 2025 legislative session.
- Joining advocacy groups: Groups like the Indiana State AFL-CIO and IUYA welcome new members and volunteers to help push for change.
- Educating others: Sharing information about the impact of ICE Funding on communities can help build broader support for alternative solutions.
The Role of the Indiana State AFL-CIO
The Indiana State AFL-CIO has taken a leading role in the fight against increased ICE Funding. As a labor union representing thousands of workers across Indiana, the AFL-CIO argues that spending billions on detention and enforcement does not help working families.
Instead, the union calls for investments in healthcare, education, and public safety—areas that directly benefit Hoosiers. The AFL-CIO’s involvement has helped bring together a broad coalition of labor, faith, and community groups united in their opposition to the funding increase.
Indiana Undocumented Youth Alliance (IUYA): Advocating for Immigrant Youth
IUYA, another key organizer, focuses on the needs of undocumented youth and their families. The group provides support, advocacy, and education for young immigrants in Indiana. IUYA leaders say that the new ICE Funding will make life even harder for immigrant families, increasing the risk of detention and deportation.
IUYA encourages young people to speak out, get involved in advocacy, and support each other during this challenging time. The group also works to educate the public about the realities faced by undocumented immigrants in Indiana.
How ICE Funding Affects Different Groups
- Immigrants: Face increased risk of detention and deportation, even for minor offenses or no criminal record.
- Families: Risk being separated if a family member is detained or deported.
- Communities: May see fewer resources for schools, hospitals, and public safety as federal dollars are redirected to enforcement.
- Private Contractors: Stand to make significant profits from new detention center contracts.
- Taxpayers: May question whether their money is being spent effectively and ethically.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Indiana and the Nation
Organizers plan to keep up the pressure on lawmakers throughout the 2025 legislative session. They hope to convince Congress to reverse or reduce the ICE Funding increase and instead invest in programs that help communities thrive.
The rapid rollout of new detention centers and enforcement operations is expected to be a major issue in upcoming elections and policy debates. Many Hoosiers and advocacy groups see this as a turning point in the national conversation about immigration and public spending.
Solution-Oriented Approaches: Alternatives to Increased Enforcement
Advocates suggest several alternatives to the current approach:
- Invest in community services: Redirect funds from detention and enforcement to healthcare, housing, education, and job training.
- Support legal pathways: Expand programs that help immigrants gain legal status and integrate into society.
- Promote oversight and accountability: Ensure that any contracts for detention centers are subject to public review and competitive bidding.
- Focus on humanitarian solutions: Address the root causes of migration, such as violence and poverty in home countries, rather than relying solely on enforcement.
How to Get Involved
Anyone interested in joining the movement can:
- Attend local rallies and public meetings organized by groups like the Indiana State AFL-CIO and IUYA.
- Volunteer with advocacy organizations working on immigration issues.
- Contact elected officials to share their views on ICE Funding and community investment.
- Stay informed by following trusted news sources and official government updates.
Official Resources
For more information about contacting your representatives or learning about immigration policy, visit the official U.S. House of Representatives website. You can also find updates and advocacy opportunities through the Indiana State AFL-CIO and IUYA websites.
Conclusion: The Stakes for Hoosiers and the Nation
The debate over ICE Funding in 2025 highlights deep divisions over how the United States 🇺🇸 should handle immigration and public spending. For many Hoosiers, the choice is clear: invest in people, not prisons. As the conversation continues, the voices of Indiana residents, labor unions, and immigrant advocates will play a crucial role in shaping the future of immigration policy and community investment.
By staying informed, getting involved, and speaking out, Hoosiers and others can help ensure that federal dollars are used to build stronger, healthier, and more welcoming communities for everyone.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency enforcing immigration laws and detaining individuals.
Detention Centers → Facilities where immigrants are held while awaiting immigration proceedings or deportation.
No-bid Contracts → Procurement process where contracts are awarded without competitive public bidding or review.
CoreCivic → A private company managing many U.S. immigrant detention facilities, awarded major ICE contracts.
IUYA → Indiana Undocumented Youth Alliance, a group advocating for undocumented immigrant youth in Indiana.
This Article in a Nutshell
Hoosiers protested the 2025 $150 billion ICE funding increase, demanding more investment in community services and less in detention and deportation infrastructure.
— By VisaVerge.com
