Lawmakers Denied Entry to Minneapolis ICE Facility During Oversight Visit

On January 10, 2026, Representatives Ilhan Omar, Angie Craig, and Kelly Morrison attempted to conduct an oversight visit at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility located at the Whipple Federal Building near Minneapolis but were denied entry.

The Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated that the lawmakers were not allowed access because their visit did not meet the requirement for at least seven days’ advance notice, as outlined by existing court orders and departmental policies.

The policy requiring members of Congress to provide seven days’ notice before visiting ICE facilities was put in place during the Trump administration. However, in December 2025, a federal judge temporarily blocked enforcement of this rule, creating uncertainty around its application at the time of the lawmakers’ attempted visit.

During a brief period of access, the representatives observed detainees being transferred by plane. Facility staff informed them that detainees were held for such short periods that hygiene products were not considered necessary.

What the numbers show

• The attempted visit occurred on January 10, 2026
• The seven-day notice policy was implemented under the Trump administration
• A federal judge temporarily blocked the policy in December 2025

The Department of Homeland Security’s seven-day notice policy was designed to regulate congressional visits to ICE facilities. The policy’s status was called into question after the December 2025 court ruling, but DHS continued to reference it in denying access to the lawmakers in January 2026.

The representatives’ attempted oversight visit was part of their official duties to review conditions at the ICE facility. Their limited access allowed them to witness detainee transfers but did not permit a full inspection of the premises or conditions.

According to media reports, the lawmakers were told by facility staff that the short duration of detainee stays was the reason hygiene products were not provided. This information was communicated during their brief time inside the facility.

The incident highlights the procedural complexities surrounding congressional oversight of federal detention facilities when departmental policies and court orders are in conflict. The situation at the Minneapolis ICE facility remains subject to ongoing legal and administrative developments.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.