Twelve Democratic Congress members sued the Trump administration Wednesday, demanding unannounced access to immigration detention centers. The lawsuit, filed in D.C. federal court, challenges the Department of Homeland Security and ICE's denial of Congressional oversight visits, citing legal rights and concerns over increased ICE arrests and reports of poor detention center conditions. The suit seeks immediate, full access to all ICE facilities, alleging obstruction of Congressional duties amidst a surge in funding and allegations of mistreatment, overcrowding, and inadequate care
Federal lawsuit challenges Trump administration's obstruction of Congressional oversight of ICE detention centers amid increased arrests and raids. Democratic lawmakers, blocked from facility visits, seek court order for immediate, unannounced access to all ICE facilities, citing legal right and concerns over overcrowding, mistreatment, and inadequate resources following a significant budget increase
Congress Sues ICE for Blocked Access to Detention Centers: A federal lawsuit demands immediate, unannounced access to all ICE facilities, challenging a new seven-day waiting period rule that blocks Congressional oversight of immigration detention centers. The lawsuit cites legal rights of Congress to inspect ICE facilities without notice, arguing the restrictions hinder crucial oversight amid increased ICE arrests and reports of poor conditions within detention centers
Congressional oversight of ICE detention centers is at the heart of a new federal lawsuit. Democratic lawmakers claim the Trump administration is illegally blocking their access to facilities, violating their right to unannounced visits. While ICE Director Todd Lyons acknowledged this right, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem contradicted him, citing a New Jersey facility incident where prior notification was allegedly needed. This lawsuit seeks immediate, full access to all ICE facilities amidst concerns of overcrowding, mistreatment, and inadequate conditions fueled by a massive budget increase for ICE detention
Amidst President Trump's immigration policies, overcrowded ICE detention facilities face allegations of mistreatment, including food shortages, inadequate medical care, and unsanitary conditions. This lawsuit, filed by Democratic members of Congress denied oversight access, demands immediate entry to all ICE facilities to ensure compliance with the law and address these serious concerns, especially given the recent surge in ICE arrests and a substantial increase in ICE detention funding
Massive ICE Detention Budget Increase Sparks Congressional Lawsuit: A new budget allocates $45 billion to ICE detention—a 1300% increase—prompting a lawsuit demanding Congressional oversight to ensure funds are spent legally and efficiently. The lawsuit alleges obstruction of Congressional access to ICE facilities, hindering crucial monitoring of conditions and compliance
Blocked from oversight visits, twelve Democratic Congress members sued the Trump administration Wednesday, demanding immediate access to ICE detention facilities. The lawsuit alleges that DHS and ICE are illegally obstructing Congressional oversight, despite a legal right to unannounced entry. This follows reports of overcrowding, mistreatment, and inadequate conditions within these facilities
Congress Sues DHS Over Blocked Access to Immigration Detention Centers: Lawmakers argue the Trump administration's refusal to allow oversight visits is obstructing Congressional duties and hindering investigations into reported mistreatment and unsanitary conditions within ICE facilities. Instead of scheduling tours, DHS claims the lawsuit is a political stunt for fundraising and media attention
To ensure Congressional oversight of immigration detention centers isn't obstructed, visit requests must provide sufficient advance notice—at least one week—to avoid interfering with the President's executive authority. This seven-day waiting period is necessary to prevent disruption of presidential functions
Due to a recent rise in security incidents, including assaults and obstructions targeting ICE facilities, all Congressional requests for tours of ICE processing centers and field offices now require Secretary Noem's approval
Lawsuit alleges Trump administration illegally blocks Congress members from ICE detention centers, violating their right to oversight. The lawsuit claims DHS and ICE are obstructing Congressional access, despite a lack of legal requirement for prior notice, citing instances of outright denial of entry to field offices
Congress Sues ICE for Blocking Oversight Visits to Detention Centers: Rep. Escobar, along with a dozen other Democratic lawmakers, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging ICE is illegally blocking Congressional oversight of immigration detention facilities. The lawsuit cites the denial of entry to Rep. Escobar on July 9th, despite her lack of prior notice, as ICE implemented a new seven-day advance notice requirement. This action challenges ICE's obstruction of Congressional access to facilities amid increased arrests and reports of poor conditions, demanding immediate and unfettered access for all members of Congress as legally mandated
Representative Jason Crow's July 20th attempt to inspect the ICE Aurora Facility was similarly blocked, highlighting the ongoing issue of Congressional access to immigration detention centers
Congress Sues ICE Over Blocked Access to Detention Centers: A federal lawsuit challenges ICE's denial of Congressional oversight visits to immigration detention centers and field offices, citing a new seven-day notice requirement and outright prohibition of access to field offices where detainees are held. This action follows increased ICE arrests and reports of poor conditions within facilities
Denied Oversight Access: Congressman Goldman's Blocked ICE Facility Tour Highlights Detention Concerns. A federal lawsuit challenges the Trump administration's refusal to allow Congressional oversight visits to ICE facilities, including a New York Field Office where Rep. Goldman was denied entry despite evidence of overnight detention without beds or showers. The lawsuit argues that ICE's obstruction violates Congressional authority and demands immediate, unannounced access to all ICE detention centers amid reports of overcrowding and mistreatment
Reps. Joe Neguse, D-Colorado; Bennie Thompson, D-Mississippi; and Jamie Raskin, D-Maryland, made a similar attempt to enter the ICE Washington Field Office in Chantilly, Virginia, on July 21 after learning that people were being detained there, according to the lawsuit. But they also were turned away without being able to view the conditions at the site.
The other House members who are fighting for ICE access include: California Democratic Representatives Norma Torres, Raul Ruiz, Jimmy Gomez, Jose Luis Correa and Robert Garcia. Also suing is Adriano Espaillat, D-New York.
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“No child should be sleeping on concrete, and no sick person should be denied care, yet that’s exactly what we keep hearing is happening inside Trump’s detention centers,” Gomez said in a statement. “This lawsuit is our message: We as Members of Congress will do our job, and we will not let these agencies operate in the shadows.”
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