Lawmakers Denied Access to ICE Facility
Three representatives from Minnesota’s House of Representatives reported being denied entry to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing center in Minneapolis on Saturday morning.
The Democratic lawmakers, including Reps. Ilhan Omar, Angie Craig, and Kelly Morrison, sought to perform congressional oversight at the Whipple detention facility in Minneapolis.
Rep. Omar informed MS NOW that they were initially allowed inside the building but were later told they could not proceed with the tour. She suggested that this denial might have originated from higher authorities in Washington.
Omar emphasized that members of Congress possess a “legal right and constitutional responsibility to conduct oversight where individuals are detained.” Rep. Morrison echoed this sentiment on social media, stating, “Conducting oversight of these American taxpayer-funded facilities is not only our legal right but our Constitutional duty. Kristi Noem’s ICE agents broke the law and illegally denied our entry.”
According to a December court ruling, congressional members have the authority to make unannounced visits to federal detention facilities as part of their oversight powers over appropriated funds. This ruling came after several members filed lawsuits due to being denied access.
A federal judge in Washington blocked a policy requiring seven days’ notice for congressional visits, deeming it likely a violation of federal law.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, stated that for the safety of detainees and staff, Congress members were informed their visit was improper and did not comply with existing court orders requiring advance notification for visits.
Rep. Craig described the refusal as “completely nonsensical,” noting that when she presented a copy of the court ruling at the facility, agents declined to review it.
Craig mentioned they were told they could not enter because funding for ICE comes through a different legislative package rather than the Congressional Appropriations Act.
Rep. Omar asserted on social media that “the public deserves to know what is taking place in ICE facilities.”
