Democratic congress members find nearly empty California ICE detention facility during scheduled inspection

"After pushing for entry for weeks, they visited on Monday and found three people detained there and said the facility was clean. I'm glad that we were finally able to get down there, U.S. Rep. Juan Vargas told reporters following the visit. It does leave a lot of suspicion in my mind as to what was there before, why weren't we allowed to go in. We gave all the notices that we were supposed to."

"Vargas and Rep. Scott Peters first tried to conduct an inspection Oct. 20, but they were told they needed to provide more days of notice. A week later, they returned with Reps. Mike Levin and Sara Jacobs. Federal officials then said there was no staff available to process the request due to the government shutdown. Members of Congress are allowed to conduct oversight at any facility operated by or for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security used to detain or otherwise house immigrants,"

"On Monday, they were received by the local leadership of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, officials said. Levin said that federal officials told them that the most people detained at the basement facility at one time this year was 68, and that the facility's capacity is 122 people. But officials said they will request confirmation of such numbers in writing."

Members of the San Diego Democratic congressional delegation were granted access to inspect an immigration detention facility inside the Edward J. Schwartz federal building after being turned away twice. Lawmakers had attempted inspections Oct. 20 and again a week later, with officials citing notice requirements and staffing issues during a government shutdown. On Monday the delegation was received by local ICE leadership, observed three people detained, and described the facility as clean. Officials said the facility's peak this year was 68 detainees and its capacity is 122, with confirmation of numbers to be requested in writing. One detainee had been arrested two hours earlier and worked as a plumber.

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