Fact Check: "ICE denies Congress access to detention areas, violating federal law."
What We Know
On June 7, 2025, Representative Jimmy Gomez and several other members of Congress were denied entry to an ICE detention facility located in the Roybal Federal Building in Los Angeles. Rep. Gomez characterized this denial as a "flagrant, unlawful obstruction of congressional oversight," emphasizing that federal law prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from denying Members of Congress access to any DHS detention facility without prior notice (Rep. Jimmy Gomez Demands Answers From DHS Sec.).
Similarly, on June 8, 2025, Representatives Judy Chu, Gil Cisneros, and Derek Tran attempted to inspect the Adelanto ICE Processing Center but were also denied entry. They highlighted that federal law guarantees Congress unfettered access to DHS facilities for oversight purposes (Reps. Chu, Cisneros, and Tran Demand Answers from ...). These incidents raise serious concerns about compliance with federal oversight laws.
Analysis
The claims made by Rep. Gomez and the other members of Congress are supported by federal law, which explicitly states that Congress has the right to access detention facilities for oversight purposes. The denials of entry reported by these representatives constitute a violation of this law. According to the Washington Post, the DHS has recently tightened rules regarding congressional visits, which has led to increased scrutiny and allegations of obstructing oversight. This new policy has been criticized for potentially undermining the established rights of Congress to conduct oversight effectively.
Moreover, the New York Times corroborates that under existing federal law, members of Congress can make unannounced visits to immigration facilities. The denials faced by Gomez, Chu, Cisneros, and Tran thus appear to be in direct violation of this legal framework. The reliability of the sources cited is high, as they come from official press releases and reputable news organizations, which are generally considered credible.
Conclusion
The claim that ICE denied Congress access to detention areas, thereby violating federal law, is True. The evidence presented by multiple congressional representatives and supported by federal law indicates that the actions of ICE and DHS in denying access were unlawful. This situation highlights significant concerns regarding accountability and oversight in immigration enforcement.
