House Democrats ask new ICE director to roll back policy on visits - Los Angeles Times

House Democrats Urge ICE Director to Reverse Detention Facility Visit Rules

WASHINGTON — Dozens of House Democrats have asked acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director David Venturella to rescind a policy that requires members of Congress to identify specific detainees by name at least two business days in advance and submit signed consent forms before conducting oversight visits. The request, contained in a letter sent Thursday, was signed by Rep. Mike Levin (D-San Juan Capistrano) and 77 other House members, including two dozen from California.

The policy was outlined in a May memo from then-acting ICE Director Todd Lyons. It replaced earlier practices under which lawmakers could speak with detainees who signed up on sheets or were encountered during facility tours. Levin and the signatories stated that the new requirements limit spontaneous conversations and make it harder to reach elderly or other vulnerable detainees, noting that consent forms are sometimes unavailable in facility law libraries. They also cited staffing reductions in DHS oversight offices and proposed further cuts to the Homeland Security Office of Inspector General for the next fiscal year as reasons for maintaining broad access.

The letter described recent policy changes on congressional access as creating unnecessary obstacles to oversight. It referenced a lawsuit filed by House Democrats in July 2025 after repeated denials of entry to facilities in California and elsewhere. A prior seven-day advance notice requirement was temporarily blocked by a federal court.

ICE’s May memo stated that the volume of congressional visits had created administrative burdens, including scheduling conflicts and the need to coordinate staff time. The agency has previously indicated that the identification and consent rules are intended to protect detainee privacy, confirm voluntary participation, and allow facilities to prepare for visits without disrupting operations. Homeland Security officials have said the requirements do not bar lawmakers from speaking with detainees who provide consent.

This week, attorneys reported that a Belizean detainee who organized hunger strikes at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in San Bernardino County was transferred to an out-of-state facility and scheduled for deportation after meeting with three members of Congress. The transfer occurred under existing ICE procedures for managing detainee movements.

The dispute occurs against a backdrop of prior litigation and shifting access rules. Court records show that earlier notification policies were challenged on grounds that they restricted timely oversight. ICE has maintained that consent and identification steps address logistical and privacy considerations raised by increased congressional activity at detention sites.