Fact Check: Congress members told to 'send an email' to inspect ICE facility

Fact Check: "Congress members told to 'send an email' to inspect ICE facility"

What We Know

The claim that "Congress members were told to 'send an email' to inspect an ICE facility" is misleading. Recent events involving Members of Congress attempting to conduct oversight visits to ICE facilities reveal a more complex situation. Congressman Jason Crow and other representatives have emphasized their legal right to access these facilities without prior notice, as outlined in the Consolidated Appropriations Act (Public Law 116-93) and reaffirmed in subsequent legislation (Crow, 2025) [source-4]. This legal framework explicitly prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE from preventing congressional access for oversight purposes.

In a recent incident, Members of Congress were denied entry to the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey, where they were allegedly threatened with arrest for conducting their oversight duties. The DHS spokesperson suggested that arrests were "on the table," citing an unsubstantiated claim of a "body slam" incident involving a member of Congress (Crow, 2025) [source-4]. Furthermore, Members of Congress have reported being unlawfully denied entry to other ICE facilities, reinforcing the assertion that they are exercising their legal rights (Chicago Members of Congress Denied Entry to ICE, 2025) [source-5].

Analysis

The assertion that Congress members were told to "send an email" lacks substantiation and misrepresents the situation. The legal framework governing congressional access to ICE facilities clearly states that Members of Congress do not need to provide prior notice for oversight visits (Crow, 2025) [source-4]. This is further supported by ICE's own guidelines, which affirm that they will accommodate congressional visits for oversight purposes (DHS Reminds Congressional Members of ICE's Guidelines, 2025) [source-3].

The sources involved in this claim include official statements from Congress members, press releases, and news articles covering the incidents. The reliability of these sources is generally high, as they come from official congressional communications and reputable news outlets. However, the claim itself appears to be a misinterpretation or oversimplification of the events surrounding congressional oversight of ICE facilities.

Moreover, the context of these visits is critical. The Members of Congress involved have been vocal about the conditions within these facilities and the need for transparency and accountability from federal agencies (Chicago Members of Congress Denied Entry to ICE, 2025) [source-5]. The narrative that they were simply told to "send an email" undermines the serious nature of their oversight responsibilities and the challenges they face in executing them.

Conclusion

Verdict: False. The claim that Congress members were told to "send an email" to inspect ICE facilities misrepresents the legal rights and responsibilities of Members of Congress. They are entitled to conduct oversight visits without prior notice, and the incidents of being denied entry reflect ongoing tensions between congressional oversight and agency compliance. The assertion simplifies a complex issue involving legal rights, agency accountability, and the treatment of individuals in detention facilities.

Sources

1. Crow: Members of Congress Have Legal Right to Enter Detention Facilities and Conduct Oversight
2. Chicago Members of Congress Denied Entry to ICE Processing Center in Broadview, IL
3. DHS Reminds Congressional Members of ICE's Guidelines to Schedule Tours of ICE Detention Facilities
4. PDF U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Facility Visit and Engagement Protocol for Members of Congress and Staff
5. ICE head recognizes Congress' role in visiting detention facilities
6. ICE puts limits on visits by lawmakers after clashes
7. Just following orders: ICE denies two New York Congress members entry