WASHINGTON (AP) — In a recent ruling, a federal judge declined to temporarily block a new policy from the Trump administration which necessitates a week's notice before members of Congress can visit immigration detention facilities. U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb stated that this policy does not violate a previous court order, emphasizing that the plaintiffs did not choose the right procedural avenue for their challenge.
Democratic lawmakers sought this intervention after representatives from Minnesota were denied access to an ICE facility shortly after an officer-involved shooting involving a U.S. citizen. Judge Cobb noted that the new policy, which was enacted on January 8, marks a distinct agency action, thus falling beyond the jurisdiction of her previous orders.
The complaint comes amidst heightened scrutiny over ICE operations and ongoing discussions about immigration enforcement policies. Lawmakers argue that a week's notice could hinder meaningful oversight and delay urgent assessments of conditions in detention centers, especially as Congress prepares to negotiate ICE funding for the next fiscal year.
Last month, Judge Cobb had ruled against an earlier oversight visit policy by ICE, claiming that requiring notice was likely unlawful. Following the recent shooting incident, a new memorandum was signed without the urgency purported by the plaintiffs, prompting further legal challenge.
As the implications of this ruling unfold, advocates from the Democracy Forward legal group are reviewing options, while multiple congressional members continue to assert the necessity of unobstructed access to facilities in order to perform their oversight duties faithfully.
