(AURN News) — A federal judge has ordered the Department of Homeland Security to restore full congressional oversight of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities, including unannounced inspections, after lawmakers were blocked from entering a detention facility in Minnesota.
The emergency ruling comes after DHS quietly reinstated a policy requiring members of Congress to provide advance notice before inspecting detention centers.
Despite a court order already blocking that requirement, the judge sided with 13 members of Congress, ruling that DHS and ICE unlawfully interfered with Congress’ authority to investigate detention conditions.
Lawmakers say they were denied entry even after presenting a valid court order, raising alarms about transparency, accountability and conditions inside ICE facilities, including reports of overcrowding, shackling, denial of medical care and lack of access to legal counsel.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
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