Fact Check: ICE now demands 72 hours notice from Congress for facility visits.

Fact Check: "ICE now demands 72 hours notice from Congress for facility visits."

What We Know

Recently, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency implemented a new policy that requires members of Congress to provide at least 72 hours' notice before visiting its facilities. This change was highlighted in a New York Times article which reported that the new guidance also allows ICE to deny or cancel visits based on "operational concerns" or if deemed appropriate by facility management. Previously, congressional staff were required to give a minimum of 24 hours' notice, but the new rules have significantly increased this requirement for facility visits by lawmakers.

The new policy has been met with criticism from Democratic lawmakers who argue that it undermines their constitutional oversight responsibilities. Representative Bennie Thompson, a leading Democrat on the Homeland Security Committee, described the new guidance as an "affront to the Constitution and Federal law" and claimed it serves as a "smoke screen" to prevent oversight of facilities where migrants are held for extended periods (New York Times).

Analysis

The claim that ICE now demands 72 hours' notice for congressional visits is substantiated by multiple sources. The official ICE document outlines the new visitation protocol, confirming the requirement for 72 hours' notice for visits to ICE facilities. This change is significant, as it alters the previous requirement for congressional staff to provide only 24 hours' notice, thereby making it more difficult for lawmakers to conduct timely oversight.

The reliability of the sources is strong, particularly the New York Times article, which provides detailed accounts of recent incidents where lawmakers were denied access to ICE facilities. The article cites specific examples of Democratic representatives who attempted to visit facilities but were turned away, reinforcing the claim that the new policy is actively being enforced (New York Times). Additionally, the official ICE documentation supports the claim, as it explicitly states the new requirements for congressional visits (ICE Official Document).

Critics of the policy, including lawmakers and advocacy groups, have raised concerns about the implications of these restrictions on oversight and transparency in immigration enforcement. The criticism emphasizes the potential for abuse of power and the need for accountability in how immigration laws are enforced.

Conclusion

The claim that "ICE now demands 72 hours notice from Congress for facility visits" is True. The evidence from both official ICE documentation and credible news reports confirms that the agency has implemented a new policy requiring this advance notice, which has been met with significant pushback from lawmakers who view it as an obstruction to their oversight responsibilities.

Fact Check: ICE now demands 72 hours notice from Congress for facility visits.