Overview

• Twelve House Democrats filed suit in D.C. on July 30 seeking to enforce entry provisions of Section 527 of the 2019 DHS appropriations act.
• The lawsuit names Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem as defendants and alleges the agency exceeded its statutory authority.
• Representative delegations including Reps. Jerry Nadler and Dan Goldman in New York and a Maryland group at the Fallon Federal Building were reportedly denied entry even after giving notice.
• DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said lawmakers could schedule formal tours and accused them of leveraging the issue for publicity and fundraising.
• Legal observers warn the ruling could shape the separation of powers and affect visibility into conditions at rapidly expanding ICE detention operations.