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Outrage as DHS moves to restrict lawmaker visits to detention centers

DHS issues new guidance for lawmakers visiting ICE facilities after tense confrontations

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Trump Administration Puts New Limits Congress Visits Immigration Centers 2025 06 19

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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in a memo this month announced new guidance for members of Congress and congressional staffers wishing to visit Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities.

New York Times

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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in a memo this month announced new guidance for members of Congress and congressional staffers wishing to visit Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities.

While acknowledging that members of Congress have the lawful right to make unannounced visits where detention of immigrants is taking place, ICE's new guidance requires 72 hours notice before visiting its field offices.

While acknowledging that members of Congress have the lawful right to make unannounced visits where detention of immigrants is taking place, ICE's new guidance requires 72 hours notice before visiting its field offices.

The new policy distinguishes between ICE detention centers and field offices, stating that field offices fall outside federal law requirements that guarantee congressional access to facilities used to detain immigrants, despite migrants being held at field offices before being transferred.

Washington Post

Washington Times

The new policy distinguishes between ICE detention centers and field offices, stating that field offices fall outside federal law requirements that guarantee congressional access to facilities used to detain immigrants, despite migrants being held at field offices before being transferred.

Federal law under the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act prohibits the DHS from preventing members of Congress from entering facilities used to detain immigrants and does not require prior notice for such oversight visits.

Reason.com

Federal law under the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act prohibits the DHS  from preventing members of Congress from entering facilities used to detain immigrants and does not require prior notice for such oversight visits.

ICE officials cited operational security concerns and a surge in assaults and disruptions as justification for the new restrictions, while Democratic lawmakers argued the policy violates constitutional separation of powers and congressional oversight authority.

ICE officials cited operational security concerns and a surge in assaults and disruptions as justification for the new restrictions, while Democratic lawmakers argued the policy violates constitutional separation of powers and congressional oversight authority.

This comes as Democratic lawmakers have been denied entry to ICE facilities across multiple states, including California, New York, Illinois, and New Jersey in recent months. Some encounters resulted in arrests and criminal charges against elected officials.

This comes as Democratic lawmakers have been denied entry to ICE facilities across multiple states, including California, New York, Illinois, and New Jersey in recent months. Some encounters resulted in arrests and criminal charges against elected officials.

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The new policy distinguishes between ICE detention centers and field offices, stating that field offices fall outside federal law requirements that guarantee congressional access to facilities used to detain immigrants, despite reports of migrants being held at field offices for days.</span

Washington Post #

Reuters #

The new policy distinguishes between ICE detention centers and field offices, stating that field offices fall outside federal law requirements that guarantee congressional access to facilities used to detain immigrants, despite reports of migrants being held at field offices for days.

Democratic lawmakers have been denied entry to ICE facilities across multiple states including California, New York, Illinois and New Jersey in recent weeks, with some encounters resulting in arrests and criminal charges against elected officials.</span

CNN #4029

Democratic lawmakers have been denied entry to ICE facilities across multiple states including California, New York, Illinois and New Jersey in recent weeks, with some encounters resulting in arrests and criminal charges against elected officials.

Rep. LaMonica McIver faces federal charges for allegedly assaulting ICE officers during a May visit to a Newark detention facility, while Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested for trespassing during the same incident, though charges against Baraka were later dropped.</span

The Hill

The Hill #

Reason.com #

Rep. LaMonica McIver faces federal charges for allegedly assaulting ICE officers during a May visit to a Newark detention facility, while Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested for trespassing during the same incident, though charges against Baraka were later dropped.

Federal law under the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from preventing members of Congress from entering facilities used to detain immigrants and does not require prior notice for such oversight visits.</span

Guardian #5759

New York Times #

Federal law under the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from preventing members of Congress from entering facilities used to detain immigrants and does not require prior notice for such oversight visits.

ICE officials cite operational security concerns and a surge in assaults and disruptions as justification for the new restrictions, while Democratic lawmakers argue the policy violates constitutional separation of powers and congressional oversight authority.</span

Washington Examiner

Washington Examiner #

Washington Times #

ICE officials cite operational security concerns and a surge in assaults and disruptions as justification for the new restrictions, while Democratic lawmakers argue the policy violates constitutional separation of powers and congressional oversight authority.

This policy represents an unprecedented assault on constitutional checks and balances that threatens congressional oversight authority. The Trump administration is deliberately trying to hide inhumane conditions at facilities where migrants and even U.S. citizens are being held for days without proper access to attorneys or basic necessities. No agency is above oversight, and ICE's ever-changing justifications prove they have something to hide.

This policy represents an unprecedented assault on constitutional checks and balances that threatens congressional oversight authority. The Trump administration is deliberately trying to hide inhumane conditions at facilities where migrants and even U.S. citizens are being held for days without proper access to attorneys or basic necessities. No agency is above oversight, and ICE's ever-changing justifications prove they have something to hide.

Los Angeles times

Los Angeles times #

ICE issued new rules for Congress members visiting detention centers. Experts say they’re illegal

Los Angeles Immigration Raids, Civil Unrest, and Military Deployment

ICE Limits Congressional Access to Immigration Facilities

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ICE has endured a dangerous surge in assaults, disruptions, and obstructions by politicians who are clearly more interested in creating viral moments than conducting legitimate oversight. These new restrictions will allow the agency to protect the safety of officers, detainees, and facilities, while still accommodating congressional visits through proper channels.

ICE has endured a dangerous surge in assaults, disruptions, and obstructions by politicians who are clearly more interested in creating viral moments than conducting legitimate oversight. These new restrictions will allow the agency to protect the safety of officers, detainees, and facilities, while still accommodating congressional visits through proper channels.

Dhs Issues New Guidance Members Congress Who Want Visit Ice Detention Facilitie

ICE asks lawmakers to request visits 72 hours in advance

The Trump administration is deliberately violating constitutional checks and balances in order to hide inhumane conditions at facilities where migrants, and even U.S. citizens, are being held for days without proper access to attorneys or basic necessities. No agency is above oversight, and ICE's ever-changing justifications prove it has something to hide.

The Trump administration is deliberately violating constitutional checks and balances in order to hide inhumane conditions at facilities where migrants, and even U.S. citizens, are being held for days without proper access to attorneys or basic necessities. No agency is above oversight, and ICE's ever-changing justifications prove it has something to hide.

DHS tightens rules for congressional visits to ICE facilities

There's a 60% chance that the United State will establish a government program rewarding information leading to deportations before Jan. 3, 2027, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There's a 60% chance that the United State will establish a government program rewarding information leading to deportations before Jan. 3, 2027, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

New ICE Policy Limits Congressional Access to Facilities

New ICE Policy Limits Congressional Access to Immigration Facilities

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