What to Do Wednesday
Your Weekly Guide to Staying Politically Active—From Abroad
Wednesday 15 July 2026
Two More Lives Lost. Accountability Cannot Wait.
Last week, two more people lost their lives during encounters involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
On July 7, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was fatally shot during an ICE operation in Houston. Witnesses have disputed federal officials’ account of what occurred, and investigations are ongoing.
Then, on July 13, another man was killed during an ICE operation in Biddeford, Maine. Federal officials have stated that he was not the intended target of the operation. The circumstances surrounding the shooting are also under investigation.
Whatever the outcome of these investigations, two families are grieving today.
Americans can disagree about immigration policy while still agreeing that government agencies entrusted with enforcing our laws must operate transparently, proportionately, and with accountability whenever deadly force is used.
Democracy depends not only on the laws we pass but also on how those laws are enforced.
Take Action Now
Please contact your Members of Congress and ask them to:
- Call for full, independent investigations into both fatal ICE shootings.
- Support meaningful congressional oversight of immigration enforcement.
- Ensure that all federal law enforcement agencies operate with transparency, accountability, and respect for constitutional rights.
- Protect due process and the rule of law while maintaining public safety.
Find the contact information for you Representative and Senator here. You can adapt and use this email template and use this phone call template Abolish ICE ⭑ 5 Calls
Why This Matters
Public trust requires accountability.
Whenever a person dies during an encounter with law enforcement, the facts deserve careful, transparent investigation. Families deserve answers. Communities deserve confidence that the law is being enforced fairly and responsibly.
Oversight is not anti-law enforcement. It is one of the ways democracy strengthens public institutions and reinforces the principle that no agency is above public accountability.
In solidarity,
Leyani Redditi
Chair
Democrats Abroad Italy
Democrats Abroad Italy Events
Join our DA Italy leadership team at our DA Italy Monthly Country Committee Meeting August 21 @09:00
In Milano? Join us on Saturday July 18 from 15:00 - 18:00 at the American Bookstore & request your ballot. Be Cool! Get Ready to Vote
Be the reason a US Citizen is able to cast their ballots! Train to become a Voting Assistant Volunteer!
- Module 1: Voter Registration & Ballot Request Saturday 1 August @10:00
- Module 1: Voter Registration & Ballot Request Wednesday 5 August @18:00
- Module 2: Ballot Receipt & Return Saturday 5 September @10:00
- Module 2: Ballot Receipt & Return Wednesday 9 September @18:00
Global Democrats Abroad Events
Join Democrats Abroad Germany on Saturday, September 26, in Munich for the Annual Democrats Abroad Oktoberfest Extravaganza! Democrats Abroad Oktoberfest 2026
Are you Vote Ready?
P.S. Don’t wait—take two minutes now to request your ballot at VoteFromAbroad.org and check this off your list. If you get stuck, we’re here to help every step of the way—just reach out and we’ll guide you through it. Already done? Let us know so we can count you in. We’re aiming for at least 25% of Democrats Abroad Italy members to be ballot-ready by the end of July—help us get there.