A group of 12 Democratic lawmakers filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the Trump administration, claiming it illegally restricted their access to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers used to hold suspected undocumented immigrants.
The lawsuit, filed in Washington, D.C., argues that the Department of Homeland Security violated federal law and congressional appropriations provisions by requiring prior notice and blocking unannounced visits. The members of Congress assert the administration is obstructing their oversight duties.
“These illegal actions have harmed each plaintiff’s right… to conduct oversight,” the complaint states. It seeks a court order granting lawmakers unrestricted entry to ICE detention facilities.
The move follows mounting disputes between Democratic lawmakers and the administration. In one incident, Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) was charged with assaulting officers during a denied visit in Newark. ICE has recently faced scrutiny for reports of overcrowding and poor conditions, which the administration denies.
DHS official Tricia McLaughlin defended the weeklong notice requirement, citing the president’s constitutional authority. She claimed the lawsuit is politically motivated, stating lawmakers “could have just scheduled a tour.”
As of this week, ICE is holding over 57,000 individuals in detention, a record high for 2025.
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