Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar said on Jan. 10 she was denied access to inspect an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Minneapolis.
The progressive Democrat’s visit came amid nationwide demonstrations against immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis and Portland, Oregon, and the Jan. 7 killing of Nicole Renee Good, 37, days earlier by an ICE officer. Omar, alongside House Democrats Angie Craig and Kelly Morrison, also of Minnesota, attempted to enter the federal Whipple Building.
“Members of Congress have a legal right and constitutional responsibility to conduct oversight where people are being detained,” Omar said in an X post. “The public deserves to know what is taking place in ICE facilities.”
News outlets reported the three U.S. representatives were escorted past a row of federal agents, who appeared mostly masked. Craig told MS Now that ICE officials said to her that the facility was funded by the “Big Beautiful Bill,” not congressional appropriations, so members of Congress couldn’t enter the facility.
Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, which includes ICE, said the members of Congress were notified that their visit was improper and “out of compliance” with the agency’s mandate, citing concerns on safety for detainees and staff. McLaughlin said “existing court orders and policies” require members of Congress to notify ICE at least seven days in advance of congressional visits.
