Crow and Neguse sue Trump administration over detention center access
State of play: Neguse, the House Assistant Minority Leader, led the suit alongside 10 other federal lawmakers seeking access to detention facilities to evaluate treatment and conditions of detainees.
Context: The lawsuit calls on the administration to comply with a federal law guaranteeing access to visit ICE or Department of Homeland Security sites where noncitizens are detained without prior notice, per a statement from Neguse.
It names the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Immigration and Customs Enforcement acting director Todd Lyons.
Zoom in: Crow was denied entry during a July 20 oversight visit that was purposefully unannounced, the Democrat told us, to ensure an unvarnished look at facility conditions.
Between the lines: The Trump administration in June issued new guidance limiting congressional access to facilities, requiring 72 business hours' notice.
What they're saying:"Blocking Members of Congress from oversight visits to ICE facilities … clearly violates Federal law — and the Trump administration knows it," Neguse said in a statement.
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