Title: DHS Restrictions on Congressional Visits to ICE Facilities: A New Era of Immigration Detention Oversight? The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) recent decision to restrict federal lawmakers from visiting an immigration detention facility in Minneapolis raises questions about the future of congressional oversight. Under federal law, members of Congress have long had the right to make unannounced visits to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities. However, a new visitation policy implemented by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem seems to be changing that. In a Jan. 8 memo obtained by NPR, Noem instructed her staff that visits should be requested at least seven days in advance. She argued that the detention facilities are funded through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which falls under a different category of federal funds and therefore does not apply to the policy on unannounced visits. This new policy appeared to have been cited this weekend when three Minnesota congresswomen were blocked from visiting an ICE facility in Minneapolis. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was passed by Congress last summer with only Republican support, allocating approximately $45 billion for immigration detention centers and providing about $30 billion for hiring more ICE personnel, transportation costs, and maintaining facilities. The act also allowed the administration to operate over capacity in some cases. The implications of this new policy are significant as it could potentially limit congressional oversight of ICE facilities. Historically, members of Congress have used unannounced visits to monitor conditions within these detention centers and ensure that they are being operated according to federal law. By requiring advance notice for such visits, the DHS is effectively limiting transparency and accountability in an already contentious area of immigration policy. From a historical perspective, this move by the DHS can be seen as part of a larger trend towards restricting access to information about immigration enforcement activities. In recent years, there has been growing concern over the lack of oversight and transparency within ICE facilities, with numerous reports detailing abuses and violations of detainees’ rights. As we move forward, it will be important for both lawmakers and citizens alike to closely monitor these developments and advocate for increased transparency in immigration enforcement activities. The ability of our elected representatives to oversee government agencies is crucial to maintaining a democratic society, and any attempts to limit this oversight should be met with vigilance and resistance. In conclusion, the DHS’s new policy on congressional visits to ICE facilities raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability in immigration enforcement activities. As we navigate these challenging times, it is more important than ever that we remain vigilant and demand greater oversight of our government agencies. Only by ensuring that they are operating within the bounds of the law can we hope to create a fairer and more just society for all.
Source: [Original Article](https://www.npr.org/2026/01/11/nx-s1-5673949/dhs-restricts-congressional-visits-to-ice-facilities-in-minneapolis-with-new-policy)
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