ICE Tries to Strong Arm Congressional Visits to Detention Centers

Agency limits unannounced oversight, ramps up security protocols, and blocks political expression inside facilities.

WASHINGTON — In a move that critics say puts the appearance of transparency over its actual practice, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued a new protocol governing how members of Congress and their staff may access ICE detention facilities. Though ICE insists the June 2025 policy ensures compliance with federal law, advocates and staffers familiar with detention oversight say the fine print tells a different story.