Judge Allows DHS Limits On Congressional ICE Visits
1 week ago
A federal judge has cleared the way for the Trump administration to enforce a new Department of Homeland Security policy that limits congressional access to immigration detention facilities.
The policy requires members of Congress to provide at least seven days’ notice before visiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities for oversight purposes. U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb declined to temporarily block the rule, finding that DHS did not violate an earlier court order when it reinstated the notice requirement.
In her ruling, Cobb emphasized that she was not deciding whether the policy is ultimately lawful. Instead, she said the Democratic lawmakers challenging the rule used an improper procedural method to bring their case.
The decision allows DHS to continue enforcing the notice requirement for now, even as broader legal questions about congressional oversight and executive authority remain unresolved.
The policy requires members of Congress to provide at least seven days’ notice before visiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities for oversight purposes. U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb declined to temporarily block the rule, finding that DHS did not violate an earlier court order when it reinstated the notice requirement.
In her ruling, Cobb emphasized that she was not deciding whether the policy is ultimately lawful. Instead, she said the Democratic lawmakers challenging the rule used an improper procedural method to bring their case.
The decision allows DHS to continue enforcing the notice requirement for now, even as broader legal questions about congressional oversight and executive authority remain unresolved.
