The U.S. Congress took welcome steps to break off DHS funding decisions from necessary and positive appropriations to the rest of the government earlier this month. Now, it has a timely opportunity to ensure its funding decisions reflect human rights, the rule of law, and the needs of the people by sending a clear message that it will no longer provide blank checks for billions of dollars that have allowed DHS to operate with impunity in ways that harm, rather than protect, our communities.