ICE puts new restrictions on members of Congress inspecting detention centers

"Moving forward, members must identify detainees by name at least two business days in advance of a visit and provide a signed consent form from each detainee. The new policy marks the latest escalation in an ongoing battle over when and how detainment facilities can be inspected. ICE says congressional visits and demands pull staff away from law enforcement duties. Democratic lawmakers say the oversight visits are needed to root out potential problems at the facilities."

"In it, Lyons calls the visits disruptive and resource-intensive because they pull staff away from law enforcement duties. Lawmakers sometimes request to speak with a particular kind of detainee - for example, people held longer than 90 days - and Lyons said meeting such requests takes up too much time. "This is an unsustainable burden for ICE employees and a hindrance to ICE operations given the exceptional growth in congressional visits," he wrote."

"California Reps. Mike Levin (D-San Juan Capistrano) and Sara Jacobs (D-San Diego) learned about the new policy when they made a surprise visit on Monday to the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego. ICE allowed them to enter, Levin said, but when the members asked to speak with detainees, local personnel handed them a memo outlining the new policy - dated the same day and signed by acting ICE Director Todd Lyons."

ICE requires members of Congress to identify specific detainees by name at least two business days before visiting immigration detention facilities. Members must also provide a signed consent form from each detainee they want to speak with during oversight visits. The policy was applied during a surprise visit to the Otay Mesa Detention Center, where lawmakers were allowed inside but were given a memo outlining the new requirements. ICE says congressional visits disrupt operations and pull staff away from law enforcement duties, making requests to meet particular detainees resource-intensive. Democratic lawmakers argue oversight visits are necessary to identify potential problems at facilities.

Read at Los Angeles Times