The DHS assistant secretary cites increased assaults, disruptions, and obstructions in enforcement operations.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued new guidance concerning members of Congress visiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field offices. The guidance states that federal legislators should notify the agency 72 hours ahead of time for visits to field offices and maintains the standards of 24-hour advanced notice already required from Congressional staffers for detention centers.
The department acknowledged that federal law allows members of Congress to visit government facilities and that legislators may make oversight visits to detention centers. However, ICE stated that field offices “fall outside” this authority. The guidance also states that ICE “retains the sole and unreviewable discretion to deny a request or otherwise cancel, reschedule or terminate a tour or visit” if “facility management or other ICE officials deem it appropriate to do so.”
“ICE will make every effort to comply with the law and accommodate Members seeking to visit/tour an ICE detention facility for the purpose of conducting oversight, but exigent circumstances (e.g., operational conditions, security posture, etc.) may impact the time of entry into the facility,” the guidance states. “Regardless, Members must comply with entry requirements.”
Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, “As ICE law enforcement have seen a surge in assaults, disruptions and obstructions to enforcement, including by politicians themselves, any requests to tour processing centers and field offices must be approved by the Secretary of Homeland Security. These requests must be part of legitimate congressional oversight activities.”
Representative Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, denounced the new DHS guidance as illegal.
“[DHS Secretary Kristi] Noem is now not only attempting to restrict when Members can visit, but completely blocking access to ICE Field Offices — even if Members schedule visits in advance,” Congressman Thompson said. “ICE is not above oversight and the Department must follow the law.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Noem and Assistant Secretary McLaughlin as they seek to ensure the safety of DHS and ICE officials.
- For prudence for Congressman Thompson and his colleagues as they make efforts to conduct oversight of immigration operations.
Sources: Reuters, Roll Call, Fox News
