California Representative Dave Min wants $1.6 million in taxpayer funds to help illegal immigrants evade federal law enforcement, exposing a startling prioritization of non-citizens over his own constituents.
Key Takeaways
- Rep. Dave Min (D-CA) is seeking $1.6 million in federal funding for AJSOCAL, an organization that teaches illegal immigrants how to avoid ICE detection and deportation.
- AJSOCAL specifically advises illegal immigrants not to answer questions about birthplace, how they entered the U.S., and recommends against carrying foreign documents.
- Republicans accuse Min of betraying his oath of office by prioritizing illegal immigrants over the needs of California citizens.
- The Biden administration previously awarded AJSOCAL $2.2 million for an eviction prevention program, showing a pattern of federal support.
- Min’s funding request comes as he faces a vulnerable reelection campaign and growing Republican criticism over his immigration stance.
Taxpayer Dollars for ICE Evasion Guidance
Freshman Democratic Representative Dave Min from California has submitted a controversial funding request for $1.6 million in taxpayer money to support Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL). This organization has drawn significant criticism for its active role in advising undocumented immigrants on strategies to evade Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. The funding request has sparked outrage among conservatives who view it as directly undermining federal immigration enforcement efforts while diverting limited resources away from legitimate constituents’ needs.
AJSOCAL’s guidance to illegal immigrants is explicit in its intentions. The organization advises undocumented individuals to refuse answering questions “related to where you were born or how you entered the U.S.,” according to AJSOCAL materials reviewed in reports.
Direct Instructions to Circumvent Federal Law
The organization’s advice goes beyond simple legal counsel. AJSOCAL explicitly instructs illegal immigrants to “Get valid ID but DO NOT carry a foreign passport,” demonstrating a deliberate strategy to help individuals avoid detection of their immigration status. These instructions represent a concerning pattern of taxpayer-funded organizations actively working against federal immigration enforcement. The organization functions as more than an advocacy group – it operates as a tactical advisor for those seeking to remain in the country illegally, providing step-by-step guidance on evading legal consequences.
“Get a valid ID but DO NOT carry a foreign passport,” stated AJSOCAL.
The guidance from AJSOCAL goes further, advising illegal immigrants not to answer specific questions that could reveal their immigration status. This approach directly obstructs ICE agents from performing their congressionally mandated duties to enforce immigration law. Meanwhile, Rep. Min has characterized this funding as part of his “legislative funding priorities,” raising serious questions about whether elected officials should prioritize aiding those breaking immigration laws over the needs of legal residents and citizens.
Political Vulnerability and Republican Response
Min’s funding request comes at a politically precarious time as he faces a challenging reelection campaign in California. Republicans have seized on the funding request as evidence that Min is prioritizing illegal immigrants over his own constituents. NRCC Spokesman Christian Martinez issued a scathing rebuke of Min’s priorities, accusing him of betraying his oath of office by funneling taxpayer dollars to organizations that help illegal immigrants evade federal law enforcement. The timing of this funding request has provided ammunition to his political opponents, who question his commitment to enforcing immigration laws.
“Related to where you were born or how you entered the U.S.,” said AJSOCAL.
Min’s office has notably remained silent when pressed for comment on the funding request, raising further questions about his willingness to defend this use of taxpayer dollars publicly. This silence speaks volumes as criticism mounts from both political opponents and concerned citizens who question the propriety of using federal funds to undermine federal law enforcement. The political implications could be significant as voters assess whether their representative is truly advocating for their interests or for those who have entered the country illegally.
Broader Pattern of Federal Support
This is not the first time AJSOCAL has received substantial federal funding. The Biden administration previously awarded the organization $2.2 million for an eviction prevention program, establishing a concerning pattern of federal support for groups that actively work against immigration enforcement. Similar funding requests have emerged from other Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who has requested funds for comparable organizations currently under investigation. This suggests a coordinated effort by Democratic lawmakers to funnel taxpayer dollars to organizations that assist illegal immigrants in avoiding deportation.
As immigration continues to rank among Americans’ top concerns, Min’s funding request highlights the stark divide in how elected officials approach immigration enforcement. While millions of Americans demand stronger border security and immigration enforcement, some representatives appear more focused on helping those who have already entered illegally remain in the country while evading authorities. Min’s request represents not just a single funding decision but a philosophical approach that many conservatives view as fundamentally at odds with the rule of law and responsible governance.
