DHS requires seven-day notice for congressional visits to ICE facilities

DHS announced on Jan. 8 that members of Congress must give seven days' notice before visiting ICE detention facilities, citing concerns about political violence; the change followed a fatal shooting involving an ICE officer in Minneapolis.

The Department of Homeland Security announced on Jan. 8 that members of Congress must schedule visits to Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities at least seven days in advance. DHS said the directive followed a nearby fatal shooting involving an ICE officer and cited concerns about political violence affecting federal facilities. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin and Secretary Kristi Noem were named in DHS statements explaining the new guidance. DHS said the measure was intended to address safety for staff, law enforcement, visitors, and detainees. Key facts: - The directive requires at least seven days' advance notice for Congressional visits to ICE detention facilities and was issued Jan. 8. - DHS described the change as a response to a fatal shooting involving an ICE officer in Minneapolis and to what it called escalating political violence targeting ICE facilities. - DHS officials said a recent court order had blocked a similar policy but asserted that funding rules tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act exempt these facilities from that limitation. - Some lawmakers, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, reported being denied entry to the Whipple Building in Minneapolis, which houses DHS offices. Summary: The directive changes how and when members of Congress may visit ICE detention sites by requiring advance scheduling, and DHS frames the move as a security measure. Undetermined at this time.