The Department of Homeland Security under the Trump administration is facing criticism from several House Democrats for denying access to a Baltimore ICE processing facility. A group of twelve Democrats, including senators and representatives from Maryland, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for obstructing congressional oversight after being denied entry to the ICE facility.
The lawmakers attempted to visit the ICE detainment facility in Baltimore but were turned away. They held a press conference outside the building to express their frustration. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
American Oversight, a law firm representing the members of Congress, emphasized the importance of oversight given the increasing number of individuals detained by ICE. They accused the administration of violating federal law by blocking congressional visits to ICE facilities.
In response, a DHS Assistant Secretary stated that the lawmakers could have scheduled a tour instead of resorting to legal action. She highlighted concerns about assaults against ICE officers increasing by 830%.
The DHS Assistant Secretary explained that requests to visit processing centers and field offices must be approved by the Secretary of Homeland Security to prevent interference with executive functions. She emphasized the need for legitimate congressional oversight activities.
Following the incident, a letter dated July 21 was shared with Fox News Digital, informing officials of the lawmakers’ intent to visit the Baltimore facility. Another letter requested the release of a Honduran immigrant wrongfully arrested by ICE.
The lawsuit includes plaintiffs such as Rep. Adriano Espaillat, Rep. Jamie Raskin, and Ranking Member Robert Garcia.
