WASHINGTON (AP) — In a contentious move, the Trump administration has reinstated restrictions interfering with members of Congress' ability to access immigration detention facilities. This decision followed the fatal shooting of a woman by an ICE officer in Minneapolis, leading to urgent appeals from congressional Democrats for judicial intervention.
On Saturday, Representatives Ilhan Omar, Kelly Morrison, and Angie Craig attempted to visit an ICE facility after the incident, but unexpectedly encountered barriers to their entry just minutes after being permitted inside.
Just last month, U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb had temporarily blocked ICE from enforcing a requirement that Congress members submit requests to visit these facilities with a week's notice. Now, her ruling is being tested as officials cited a newly imposed notice requirement for oversight visits.
Attorneys representing the lawmakers argue that the imposition of a seven-day notice policy is urgent and detrimental to timely congressional oversight, particularly as funding negotiations for the Department of Homeland Security approach their January 30 deadline.
Said the lawyers in a court filing, This is a critical moment for oversight, and members of Congress must be able to conduct oversight at ICE detention facilities, without notice, to obtain urgent and essential information for ongoing funding negotiations. Although Judge Cobb has yet to respond to this latest request, the stakes remain high as congressional oversight is increasingly hindered.
Government attorneys had earlier claimed the lawmakers did not possess sufficient legal standing to contest the policy. They argued concerns about changing conditions at ICE facilities were speculative; however, Judge Cobb rejected those arguments, emphasizing the need for immediate access to gather authentic information.
A law prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from using budgeted funds to obstruct congressional oversight efforts. Attorneys from the Democracy Forward Foundation have expressed concern over whether the administration is using any of those funds to enforce the renewed notice policy.
