Minneapolis, Minn. — Tensions escalated over the weekend as federal lawmakers encountered unexpected barriers to visiting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Minneapolis. The Department of Homeland Security has implemented a new policy requiring at least seven days’ advance notice for visits to certain detention centers, a measure criticized by some as an attempt to obstruct congressional oversight.
Three Democratic congresswomen—Ilhan Omar, Angie Craig, and Kelly Morrison—attempted to tour the facility in the Whipple Federal Building on Saturday but were told they needed prior approval under the recent policy change. The congresswomen were initially permitted entry but were later escorted out by officials who cited the facility’s funding source as justification for the restrictions.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem introduced the new visitation requirements in a memo, asserting that the policy aims to ensure safety for all involved—including members of Congress, ICE personnel, and detainees. However, the congresswomen argue that this approach undermines their legal right to conduct unannounced inspections in facilities funded by federal appropriations.
In recent weeks, a D.C. federal court affirmed Congress’s right to make unannounced visits to ICE facilities unless otherwise regulated. Noem’s directive contends that the funding mechanism for these detention centers, referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, exempts them from that requirement, intensifying concerns among lawmakers about transparency and accountability.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed last summer, provided $45 billion for immigration detention centers and additional funds for staffing and facility maintenance, reflecting concerns over overcapacity in detention facilities. Critics of the new visitation policy see it as an attempt to shield the government from scrutiny, especially in light of a recent shooting incident involving an ICE agent that led to the death of 37-year-old Renee Good.
While outside the facility, Rep. Craig voiced her frustration, insisting that lawmakers have a duty to ensure humane treatment of detainees. “It is our job as members of Congress to make sure those folks detained are treated with humanity because we are the damn United States of America!” she stated emphatically.
Noem’s memo also expressed concerns about “circus-like publicity stunts” during such visits, suggesting that unannounced excursions could disrupt operations. The added oversight comes against the backdrop of increasing federal resources in Minnesota, where over 2,000 immigration agents have recently been deployed.
This clash points to broader tensions regarding immigration enforcement and oversight practices in the current administration, highlighting ongoing debates about the balance between national security and human rights. As federal lawmakers contend with new restrictions, calls for greater transparency in immigration policy are likely to intensify in the coming weeks.
