Overview
- Representatives Juan Vargas and Scott Peters said they were blocked from the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building basement on Monday despite giving roughly 48 hours' notice for an oversight visit.
- Volunteers who assist at the courthouse reported recent detentions in the basement with no access to showers, detainees wearing the same clothes, and difficulty reaching attorneys or family.
- Advocates and one relative described accounts of about 200 people at times, a single toilet, and meager food, with some people reportedly held for more than 24 hours.
- Legal advocates said detainee tracking information was not being posted online, making it harder for families to locate loved ones.
- ICE has not confirmed detention activity at the site and did not respond to inquiries, while the congressmen said they will try again with more advance notice, noting earlier access was granted at Otay Mesa and that access disputes have prompted a lawsuit this year.