Three Democratic members of the US Congress were blocked from entering an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Minnesota on Saturday, 10 January 2026, in a move they have condemned as an unlawful obstruction of their oversight duties.
Congressional Delegation Ejected Minutes After Entry
The incident occurred at a facility near the Bishop Whipple federal building in the Twin Cities. The delegation, comprising Representatives Ilhan Omar, Angie Craig, and Kelly Morrison, had notified officials of their planned visit. They were initially permitted inside but were ordered to leave roughly ten minutes later.
During a press briefing, Omar stated that two officials informed them the invitation had been rescinded and further access was denied. "What happened today is a blatant attempt to obstruct members of Congress from doing their oversight duties," she said.
Defiance of Federal Court Ruling
This action appears to directly contradict a recent federal court decision. In December 2025, US District Judge Jia Cobb ruled that the administration cannot bar Congress members from visiting immigrant detention facilities, even unannounced. The judge stated that policies deeming ICE offices "off-limits" and requiring seven days' notice violated federal law.
Representative Craig accused ICE of ignoring this ruling. "We let ICE know, the Department of Homeland Security know, that they were violating federal law," she said. "They do not care... This administration continues to use Minnesota as a political stunt, and earlier this week, it got a woman killed." Her comment referenced the shooting death of 37-year-old Renee Good by an ICE agent in south Minneapolis earlier that week, which had sparked ongoing demonstrations.
Justifications and Observations from the Visit
The Congresswomen reported being told their access was denied because the facility's funding came through the Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was cited as justification for restricting the visit. During their brief time inside, Omar noted observing planes departing. She said officials claimed these were not deportation flights but were transferring detainees to other facilities within the US.
When questioned about detainee welfare, Omar relayed that officials argued individuals were not held long enough to require basic hygiene supplies. This claim stands in stark contrast to widespread calls for improved conditions at ICE holding facilities nationwide.
The confrontation underscores the intense political and legal battles surrounding US immigration policy and congressional oversight, with Minnesota once again at the centre of a national controversy.
