Judge lets DHS limits on congressional ICE visits stand while lawsuit proceeds
A federal judge refused to enjoin new DHS restrictions that curb unannounced "walk‑through" inspections and require more advance notice and tighter conditions for congressional visits to ICE detention and processing facilities, leaving the limits in place while a lawsuit challenging them proceeds. Justice Department lawyers defended the rules as necessary for safety and orderly operations, while House and Senate Democrats — citing the Whipple Building/Minneapolis incident as a local test case — say the policy unlawfully impedes oversight and appears retaliatory.
📌 Key Facts
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has issued or backed new internal limits on how and when members of Congress may visit immigration detention and processing facilities, curbing unannounced “walk‑through” inspections and requiring more advance notice and tighter conditions.
- The policy changes the long‑standing practice of short‑notice or unannounced congressional walk‑throughs of ICE and other immigration facilities.
- Justice Department lawyers and Republican officials defended the restrictions as necessary for safety and to avoid interference with facility operations.
- House and Senate Democrats say the rules violate traditional congressional oversight norms, unlawfully obstruct oversight and have formally challenged them in court; they framed the Minneapolis Whipple/Fort Snelling incident as a local test case.
- Democrats also argue the rules appear retaliatory — aimed at keeping cameras and witnesses away from surge operations in the Twin Cities following the killing of Renee Good.
- A federal district judge held a hearing on the challenges, did not issue an immediate oral ruling, and requested additional briefing while indicating a written decision will follow.
- The judge denied a request to enjoin or block the new DHS policy, leaving the administration’s limits in place while the underlying lawsuit continues, and prompting criticism from Minnesota’s congressional delegation and advocates.
📊 Relevant Data
The DHS policy requires members of Congress to provide a minimum of seven calendar days advance notice for visits to ICE facilities, limiting unannounced inspections.
ICE issues guidance for lawmakers visiting ICE facilities — Immigration Policy Tracking Project
Somali immigrants in Minnesota have a per capita crime rate two to five times higher than natives when compared apples-to-apples.
Yes, Somali Immigrants Commit More Crime Than Natives — City Journal
Somali Minnesotans generate over $500 million in annual income and contribute approximately $67 million in state and local taxes annually.
Contrary to Trump's claims, Somalis add $8B to MN economy — Star Tribune
Operation Metro Surge has led to increased absenteeism in Minnesota schools, with some districts reporting drops in attendance and offering e-learning due to community anxieties from ICE activities.
Attendance drops at Minnesota schools as federal immigration enforcement intensifies anxieties — Star Tribune
A 2025 Senate investigation uncovered hundreds of reported cases of human rights abuses in U.S. immigration detention centers, including physical and sexual abuse of pregnant women and children.
'Horrific': report reveals abuse of pregnant women and children at immigration centers — The Guardian
📰 Source Timeline (4)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- The judge denied a bid to enjoin the new DHS policy that restricts unannounced congressional visits and tightens conditions for access to ICE facilities.
- The order leaves the Trump administration’s rules in place while the underlying lawsuit continues, rather than suspending them.
- The article clarifies how the policy changes the long‑standing practice of short‑notice or unannounced congressional walk‑throughs and describes reactions from Minnesota’s delegation and advocates.
- A federal district judge held a hearing on challenges to the Trump administration/DHS policy that restricts how and when members of Congress may visit immigration detention and processing facilities.
- Justice Department lawyers defended the restrictions as necessary for safety and orderly operations, while House and Senate Democrats argued they unlawfully obstruct constitutional oversight and singled out high‑tension sites like Fort Snelling/Whipple in Minnesota.
- The judge did not issue an immediate ruling from the bench but requested additional briefing and indicated a written decision will follow, leaving the DHS limits in place for now.
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has issued or backed new internal limits on how and when members of Congress can visit immigration facilities, curbing unannounced 'walk‑through' inspections and requiring more advance notice and tighter conditions.
- House Democrats say those new rules violate traditional congressional oversight norms and have formally challenged them, framing the Minneapolis incident at the Whipple Building as the first local test case.
- The piece lays out the partisan split: Republicans echo Noem’s line about security and interference with operations, while Democrats argue the rules look like retaliation and an attempt to keep cameras and witnesses away from the Twin Cities surge operations after Renee Good’s killing.