Democratic Representatives Jerrold Nadler and Dan Goldman were recently denied access to an ICE facility in a Manhattan federal building, sparking outrage and accusations of a cover-up. The congressmen, along with colleagues Nydia Velazquez and Adriano Espaillat who were previously denied access earlier this month, cited their constitutional right to oversee detention centers and expressed deep concern over reported conditions within the facility.
They allege that detained immigrants are forced to sleep on benches and the floor, lacking adequate accommodations. Representative Goldman stated that despite providing advance notice and the statutory right to visit without prior notification, their access was still denied, raising questions about what ICE is trying to conceal. He pointedly questioned why ICE agents in court were wearing face coverings.
The representatives visited both the 10th and 12th floors of the building. The 10th floor houses the ICE detention area, while the 12th floor hosts immigration hearings. On the 12th floor, they observed several instances where immigrants refused the government’s motion to dismiss their cases, choosing to proceed with their asylum claims to avoid immediate arrest by numerous masked federal agents – including FBI agents – waiting outside the courtroom. Representative Nadler called the situation “ridiculous,” emphasizing that if individuals are detained and forced to sleep on the floor, it is undeniably a detention center subject to congressional oversight.
Representative Goldman, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, intends to request a joint bipartisan petition to the Department of Homeland Security demanding access to the facility. Legal action is also being considered. This incident follows a pattern of denied access to ICE facilities, further fueling concerns about transparency and the treatment of detained immigrants. The congressmen’s actions highlight a larger struggle for accountability and oversight within the immigration system. The incident has drawn significant attention, with various news outlets reporting on the ongoing investigation and highlighting the discrepancies between ICE’s statements and the congressmen’s observations.
