Trump blocks Rep. Gregory Meeks from inspecting ICE detention centers

Nine people have died in ICE custody since Jan. 20, 2025, according to ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons (testimony May 14, 2025)

Section 527 of the DHS Appropriations Act 2024 prohibits using federal funds to prevent Members of Congress from entering immigration detention facilities for oversight purposes

In Jun. 2025, DHS issued guidance requiring 72 hours advance notice for congressional visits to ICE detention facilities, despite federal law allowing unannounced oversight

Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) was denied entry to ICE detention facilities on Jun. 19, 2025, after requesting oversight access

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested during a congressional oversight visit to the Delaney Hall detention facility in May 2025

Federal law explicitly states that Members of Congress are not required to provide prior notice before conducting oversight visits to detention facilities

ICE has argued that its field offices are not detention facilities and therefore fall outside the scope of the oversight prohibition in Section 527

During May 2025 oversight visits, lawmakers witnessed young women shaking and crying in fear of retaliation if they spoke with Members of Congress

ICE is detaining nearly 50,000 people while Congress has only approved funding for 41,500 detention beds, representing an over-authorization of capacity

DHS claimed that during the Delaney Hall visit one member “body-slammed” an ICE officer, though this allegation remains unsubstantiated by witnesses or video

Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, said there is “no valid or legal reason for denying Member access to ICE facilities”

Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) was denied entry to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles and called the denial “outrageous and unlawful”

DHS Assistant Secretary McLaughlin cited protection of the President’s Article II authority as justification for imposing advance-notice requirements on congressional visits

Ten House Democrats conducted oversight visits of ICE detention centers during the May 2025 district work period

Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) introduced the Public Oversight of Detention Centers (POD) Act to guarantee congressional access to facilities (no official bill number yet)