Overview

• The policy effective June 2025 requires members of Congress to give at least 72 hours’ notice before visiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities.
• DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin indicated that visits may require up to a week’s notice and any shorter timeline must be approved by Secretary Kristi Noem.
• ICE’s new guidance asserts unreviewable discretion to deny, cancel, reschedule or terminate any congressional tour based on operational concerns or facility management judgments.
• Lawmakers in California, Illinois and New York have recently reported being turned away after hours of attempting oversight visits without prior authorization.
• Rep. Bennie Thompson condemned the update as an affront to the Constitution and federal law, accusing DHS of using the rules to conceal ICE operations.