House Democrats challenge new Homeland Security order limiting lawmaker visits to immigration facilities

"Twelve House Democrats who last year sued the Trump administration over a policy limiting congressional oversight of immigrant detention facilities returned to federal court Monday to challenge a second, new policy imposing further limits on such unannounced visits. In December, those members of Congress won their lawsuit challenging a Department of Homeland Security policy from June that required a week's notice from lawmakers before an oversight visit."

"In a Jan. 8 memorandum, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote that "Facility visit requests must be made a minimum of seven (7) calendar days in advance. Any requests to shorten that time must be approved by me." The lawmakers who challenged the policies are led by Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) and include five members from California: Reps. Robert Garcia (D-Long Beach), Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana), Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles), Raul Ruiz (D-Indio) and Norma Torres (D-Pomona)."

""The duplicate notice policy is a transparent attempt by DHS to again subvert Congress's will...and this Court's stay of DHS's oversight visit policy," the plaintiffs wrote in a federal court motion Monday requesting an emergency hearing."

Twelve House Democrats returned to federal court to challenge a new Department of Homeland Security policy requiring seven days' notice for congressional visits to immigration detention facilities. The group previously won a lawsuit in December against a June DHS policy that required a week's notice. A Jan. 8 memorandum from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated facility visit requests must be made at least seven calendar days in advance and that any shortening requires her approval. The plaintiffs include Rep. Joe Neguse and five California representatives. The lawmakers said the duplicate notice policy attempts to subvert Congress's authority and sought an emergency hearing.

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