Overview
- New DHS guidance requires members of Congress to give 72 hours’ notice for field office tours and 24 hours’ notice for detention center visits.
- The policy designates ICE field offices as non-detention facilities, removing them from unannounced inspection rights under federal law.
- ICE retains sole authority to refuse, reschedule or terminate any congressional visit over operational or security concerns.
- Democratic lawmakers led by Rep. Bennie Thompson argue the rules obstruct transparency and may conceal poor conditions at ICE facilities.
- Recent confrontations at ICE offices have resulted in the arrest of Rep. LaMonica McIver and NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, fueling demands for policy reversal.