DHS looks to add new restrictions on lawmakers visiting ICE facilities

The new guidelines look to place restrictions on lawmaker interaction with detainees, by instructing them to provide a list of inmates they hope to speak with, or give them 48-hours notice so they can create a sign-up list for people who want to speak with lawmakers.

By Misty Severi

Published: June 18, 2025 6:21pm

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Wednesday released new restrictions on lawmakers visiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities, after recent visits have turned confrontational.

The new guidelines come after Democratic lawmakers clashed with law enforcement in New Jersey while attempting to visit and conduct oversight of New Jersey's Delaney Hall detention center last month.

The guidance says lawmakers still have the power to visit detention facilities anytime, but asks them to give ICE field offices 72 hours notice before any visits, and their staff to give 24 hours notice.

The new guidelines also look to place restrictions on lawmaker interaction with detainees, by instructing them to provide a list of inmates they hope to speak with, or give them 48-hours notice so they can create a sign-up list for people who want to speak with lawmakers.

“ICE will not facilitate meetings with detainees in detention facilities without valid, signed privacy releases," the guidance said. "If Members and/or Congressional staff would like to meet with a specific detainee or set of detainees, please provide names, alien registration numbers, and valid, signed privacy releases with your request."

Lawmakers and their staff are also not allowed to film or take photos inside of ICE facilities anymore.

“[DHS Secretary] Kristi Noem’s new policy to block congressional oversight of ICE facilities is not only unprecedented, it is an affront to the Constitution and Federal law," Democratic Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson told The Hill. "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.

"No matter how much she and [President] Trump want to force us to live under their authoritarian rule, ICE is not above oversight and the Department must follow the law,” he added.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.