Another shutdown consequence: Democrats can't visit ICE detention facilities [View all]
Federal immigration authorities say they no longer have to provide on-demand access to detention facilities for members of Congress. The reason? The government shutdown.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, who have been fighting a lawsuit brought by Democratic lawmakers over prior denied visit attempts, have informed lawmakers that they simply don’t have the staff or funding to support those visits. Lawmakers have previously been legally allowed to demand them as part of their oversight duties, which includes monitoring conditions and communicating with detainees facing deportation.
And in court, ICE has added another explanation: As a result of the shutdown, there’s now no law on the books that requires the Trump administration to accommodate lawmakers’ visits. That requirement had been contained in government funding laws that expired when the shutdown began. Instead, ICE informed U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb that it is now funding its operations with appropriations made in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which does not require congressional access.
“ICE is no longer funding the operation of its detention facilities … with any funds that were appropriated subject to [the requirement for lawmaker visits]” Justice Department attorneys indicated.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/another-shutdown-consequence-democrats-t-212355643.html
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