What to Do Wednesday
Your Weekly Guide to Staying Politically Active—From Abroad
Wednesday 21 January 2026
Request your overseas ballot at votefromabroad.org today. It is the simplest, most concrete act of resistance we can take right now.
1) The emergency: ICE raids and federal force in Minneapolis, and what we can do about it
Over the past several weeks, Minneapolis and St. Paul have been hit with a major federal immigration enforcement surge that local officials and community leaders describe as militarized and destabilizing, including aggressive ICE operations around schools, protests, and daily life.
Minnesota officials, Minneapolis, and St. Paul have now taken the extraordinary step of suing to halt unlawful actions tied to the operation.
At the same time, local school districts have shifted to remote learning in response to safety concerns and incidents involving immigration agents near schools, underscoring how far this has spilled into the lives of children and families.
This is what destabilization looks like in practice: when federal power is used aggressively and unpredictably, people stop going to work, parents fear bringing children to school, communities retreat indoors, and trust in government collapses. The administration’s approach has sparked protests nationwide and intense criticism from civil rights advocates and local leaders.
The key pressure point this week: Congress and ICE funding
Congress is in the middle of negotiating and advancing FY2026 appropriations, with Homeland Security funding a major flashpoint. Advocacy trackers report that the House has released text for a multi-bill appropriations package that includes Homeland Security, with provisions that directly affect ICE funding and oversight.
That means your calls matter right now. Appropriations bills are where Congress can restrict funding, impose oversight, and block abuses.
2) Call and write to your Representative and Senators today
“Limit ICE funding. Add real oversight. Vote no if they will not.”
Your message:
Congress must not bankroll escalated raids, intimidation, and the use of force that is tearing communities apart. If the spending package does not meaningfully restrict ICE funding and operations, your members of Congress should vote NO and publicly demand stronger limits and enforceable guardrails.
Call script:
Hello, my name is ___ and I am a constituent and an overseas voter. I am calling about the upcoming Homeland Security funding vote. I am alarmed by reports out of Minneapolis and other communities describing aggressive ICE operations and federal force that are disrupting daily life and threatening families. I want the Representative or Senator to limit ICE funding and expansion, require strong oversight and enforceable restrictions on raids and use of force, and vote no on any spending bill that fails to meaningfully rein in ICE. Please tell me the member’s position and how they will vote.
If possible, make three calls: one to your House Representative and one to each of your Senators.
Then send your Democratic Member of Congress an email. You can use this ready made email template. Send your GOP Members of Congress a strongly worded message. You can use this ready made email template.
Find the contact information for your Members of Congress here: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member.
3) Friday, January 23: a statewide “stay home” action in Minnesota
Community organizations, labor groups, and faith leaders in Minnesota are calling for a major day of action on Friday, January 23, urging people to stay home from work and school and avoid shopping as a protest against the enforcement surge and its impact on communities.
Even from abroad, we can amplify this message by sharing verified information, lifting up the voices of affected communities, and keeping attention focused on Congress and the role of federal funding in shaping these actions.
4) Act of resistance from abroad: request your ballot today
As a U.S. citizen living overseas, you can request your ballot in minutes.
Go to votefromabroad.org today.
Then forward this message to one friend abroad and ask them to do the same.
Ballot requests are not paperwork. They are organizing. They are visibility. They are power.
Upcoming Events: Democrats Abroad Italy
In the Milan area? Come to the January Apericena in Milan! January 28 @7pm
Be a part of the solution! Participate in DA Italy Monthly Country Committee Meeting February 13 @09:00
Live near Lucca? Join the Next Meeting of the Lucca Democracy Circle February 18 @6pm
Are you ready for it? Join the DA Italy Annual General Meeting we’re fighting for democracy and training joyful warriors to lead the charge March 14 & 15 2026.
We shall overcome
Leyani Redditi
Chair
Democrats Abroad Italy
PS - yes we know we keep asking you to request your ballot - but it really is that important! Voting is resistance, voting is our power, voting is our voice.
- Click below to head to VoteFromAbroad.org right now to request your ballot. It only takes a minute, and you’ll be ready to vote all year long!
- If you have any questions or need help, send us a message by clicking below and a Voter Assistance Volunteer will reach out to you.
- If you have already requested your ballot or receive your ballot directly from your state portal, Well Done! Click the button below to let us know
Voting is how we honor lives lost and demand a different future.