The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released revised guidelines that regulate access to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities by congressional members and their staff.
As per the new policy issued this week, congressional staff are now required to provide a minimum of 24 hours’ notice prior to visiting ICE detention centers. Furthermore, any visit to an ICE field office must be arranged in advance, as these locations are not deemed to be under congressional oversight protections according to federal law.
Although the policy recognizes that Section 527 of the FY2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act permits lawmakers to visit detention facilities without prior notice, it clearly forbids access to ICE field offices without prior approval from DHS, as reported by The Epoch Times.
“ICE Field Offices are not detention facilities and fall outside of the Sec. 527 requirements,” the guidelines indicate. Lawmakers will still have the opportunity to request visits to ICE field offices; however, they must submit their requests at least 72 hours beforehand. Only those individuals who have been approved through the visitor engagement process will be allowed to participate.
