Three Democratic members of the United States Congress were blocked from entering a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Minnesota on Saturday, 10 January 2026, in a direct challenge to congressional oversight authority.
Congressional Delegation Ejected Minutes After Entry
The incident occurred at a facility near the Bishop Whipple federal building in the Twin Cities area. The delegation, comprising Representatives Ilhan Omar, Angie Craig, and Kelly Morrison, all from Minnesota, had notified officials of their planned visit. They were initially permitted inside but were ordered to leave approximately ten minutes later.
During a subsequent press briefing, Omar detailed the abrupt reversal. "Shortly after we were let in, two officials came in and said that they received the message that we were no longer allowed to be in the building," she stated, adding that their invitation was rescinded and further access denied.
A 'Blatant' Violation of Federal Law
Omar condemned the action as "a blatant attempt to obstruct members of Congress from doing their oversight duties." Her criticism is backed by a significant legal precedent. In December 2025, US District Judge Jia Cobb ruled that the Trump administration could not bar Congress members from visiting immigrant detention facilities, even unannounced. The judge found that DHS policies making ICE offices "off-limits" violated federal law.
Representative Angie Craig echoed Omar's condemnation, stating, "We let ICE know, the Department of Homeland Security know, that they were violating federal law. They do not care... This administration continues to use Minnesota as a political stunt, and earlier this week, it got a woman killed." Craig's remark referenced the recent shooting death of 37-year-old Renee Good by an ICE agent in south Minneapolis, which had sparked ongoing demonstrations.
Funding Act Cited as Justification for Denial
The lawmakers reported that facility officials justified barring them by citing the Big Beautiful Bill Act as the source of the centre's funding, claiming it restricted their access. Omar also noted observing planes departing the site, though she was informed they were transferring detainees within the US, not conducting deportations.
When questioned about detainee welfare, Omar said officials claimed individuals were not held long enough to require basic hygiene supplies—a point of contention amid longstanding calls for improved conditions in ICE holding facilities nationwide.
This confrontation underscores the intense political and legal battles surrounding US immigration enforcement and the limits of congressional power to scrutinise executive agency operations.
