Fact Check: Congress passed a 2019 appropriations bill that spelled out the authority for members of Congress to enter federal immigration facilities.

Fact Check: Congress Passed a 2019 Appropriations Bill That Spelled Out the Authority for Members of Congress to Enter Federal Immigration Facilities

What We Know

In 2019, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which included provisions related to federal immigration facilities. Specifically, the bill provided appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and included stipulations regarding the oversight authority of Members of Congress. According to the text of the act, it explicitly states that no funds appropriated by the act may be used to prevent a Member of Congress from entering any facility operated by or for DHS for the purpose of conducting oversight (H.J.Res.31). This provision has been reaffirmed in subsequent appropriations acts, including the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for 2020 and later years (source-3).

Analysis

The claim that Congress passed a 2019 appropriations bill granting Members of Congress the authority to enter federal immigration facilities is supported by the text of the Consolidated Appropriations Act. Section 532 of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2020, and similar sections in later appropriations bills, clearly outline that Members of Congress have the legal right to access these facilities to conduct oversight without prior notice (source-3).

The reliability of the sources supporting this claim is strong. The official congressional record and the text of the appropriations act are primary sources that provide direct evidence of the legislative intent. Furthermore, statements from Members of Congress, such as Congressman Jason Crow, reinforce this understanding and highlight ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in immigration detention practices (source-4, source-5).

Critically, while some sources may express opinions on the implications of this authority, the legal framework established by the appropriations bill is clear and unambiguous. The claim is not only substantiated by legislative text but is also supported by statements from lawmakers who emphasize the importance of oversight in immigration facilities (source-3).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Congress passed a 2019 appropriations bill that spelled out the authority for Members of Congress to enter federal immigration facilities is true. The legislative text explicitly grants this authority, and it has been reaffirmed in subsequent appropriations acts. The evidence from both the bill and statements from Congress members supports the assertion that oversight of immigration facilities is a legal right afforded to Members of Congress.

Sources

1. H.J.Res.31 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019
2. H. Rept. 115-948 - DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS BILL
3. Members of Congress Have Legal Right to Enter Detention Facilities
4. Rep. Jason Crow Introduces Bill to Require Congressional Access to ICE Detention
5. Congress Must Continue to Demand Access to ICE Detention Facilities