To the editor:

Children have been separated from their parents, families are being thrown into already overcrowded detention centers, and troops have been deployed into border communities. As a nation, we are better than this.

Our immigration system is broken, but President Donald Trump and other politicians continue to push the same failed policies that got us into this crisis.

The Trump administration has repeatedly detained more people than the levels authorized by Congress and expects to detain 54,000 per day next year.

Congress must use its oversight powers to hold the Trump administration accountable.

I urge you to reject increased funding for the failed policies of detention, deportation and border militarization.

Instead, invest in proven, community-based alternatives to addressing the border crisis.

U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, we have jobs for these people: the ones that Americans are not willing to do. To keep America great, we need people who are willing to work!