(Representatives Dr. Raul Ruiz and Norma Torress sent a letter to Secretary Kristi Noem)....The letter condemns the Department of Homeland Security for unlawfully obstructing and delaying Members of Congress seeking to conduct oversight visits to immigration detention facilities operated by DHS and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE.

The letter highlights several violations of federal law, which clearly prohibit DHS from denying Members of Congress unimpeded access to detention facilities or making change that alter what is observed during visits. Torres says it is illegal to deny Democratic members access while granting Republican members a free pass. She said that is not only illegal, but also a dangerous abuse of power.