New DHS Policy Limits Congressional Access to Minneapolis ICE Facilities

Recently, Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, alongside Representatives Kelly Morrison and Angie Craig, visited the ICE headquarters located at the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis. Although they were initially granted entry, officials soon instructed them to depart.

The Department of Homeland Security has introduced a policy that prevented federal lawmakers from examining an immigration detention site in Minneapolis during the weekend. This policy was initiated by the department's head.

Typically, federal law grants Congress members the right to visit ICE detention sites without prior notice. A federal court in D.C. recently affirmed that this applies to facilities with funding allocated by standard congressional procedures.

However, according to a memo from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, which NPR acquired, Noem has directed her staff to require a seven-day notice in advance for visits. She argued that the sites are financed through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, thus exempting them from the requirement for spontaneous oversight.

This new protocol, citing the necessity of prior notification, was apparently referenced during the weekend.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a fiscal reconciliation bill passed by Congress with sole backing from Republicans, was designed to bolster facilities that were under strain, providing $30 billion for additional ICE personnel, transport logistics, and upkeep of the ICE installations.

Rationale Behind the Policy

Noem expressed that scheduled visits are crucial to guarantee the safety of Congress members, their staff, detainees, and ICE staff. She remarked that unexpected visits detract ICE personnel from their standard tasks.

The memo further highlighted concerns about turning serious oversight actions into spectacles, which could lead to disorderly environments.

ICE was instructed to employ funds from the reconciliation bill solely for implementing this visitation guideline, mandating the seven-day notice policy.

The congressional delegation's attempt to visit the Whipple Federal Building came against a tense backdrop in Minneapolis. An ICE officer had shot and killed a woman in her vehicle on the previous Wednesday, with the Trump administration declaring the use of force was justified on the grounds of self-defense.

Upon their visit to the facility, Congresswomen Omar, Craig, and Morrison were initially granted access but subsequently denied the ability to further inspect the site.

Rep. Craig was informed by federal officers that the Minneapolis ICE center depends on funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, thus barring unscheduled visits.

Expressing discontent, Craig emphasized the responsibility of Congress members to ensure humane treatment of detainees, remarking on the United States' values.

Future Implications

More than 2,000 federal officers specialized in immigration control are currently active in Minnesota, with expectations of additional deployment in the near future.