Overview
- Reps. Jerry Nadler and Dan Goldman were denied entry to the 26 Federal Plaza facility despite federal rules allowing unannounced congressional oversight visits
- ICE maintains the site is a temporary processing center for immigrants in transit rather than a detention facility
- Deputy Field Director Bill Joyce acknowledged that some individuals have spent nights on the 10th floor without access to beds
- The facility is approaching capacity due to a recent surge in ICE arrests and delays in transferring detainees to other locations
- Lawmakers warn that restricted access undermines transparency and raises concerns about the treatment of both undocumented immigrants and legal residents