Two Democratic lawmakers were blocked from inspecting an ICE detention facility in Manhattan amid allegations of overcrowding and inhumane conditions, raising questions about transparency in federal immigration enforcement.

At a Glance

• Representatives Adriano Espaillat and Nydia Velázquez were denied entry to the ICE facility at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan
• The lawmakers attempted to inspect the facility following reports of overcrowding, unbearable heat, and detainees sleeping on bathroom floors
• Department of Homeland Security officials cited lack of advance notice as the reason for denying acces
• The inspection attempt followed protests outside the facility that resulted in 22 arrests
• Representatives insisted they have constitutional oversight authority to conduct unannounced inspections

Lawmakers Denied Access to Manhattan ICE Facility

Federal immigration officials blocked Representatives Adriano Espaillat and Nydia Velázquez from entering an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Manhattan on Sunday. The Democratic lawmakers had attempted to inspect the facility located at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building at 26 Federal Plaza in Tribeca following reports of concerning conditions inside. Department of Homeland Security officials turned them away at the entrance, stating the representatives had arrived without providing the customary 24-hour notice required for congressional visits.

The lawmakers had sought to investigate allegations from the New York Immigration Coalition that detainees were being held in overcrowded spaces with unbearable heat and that some migrants were forced to sleep on bathroom floors. The facility at Federal Plaza has recently become a focal point of immigration enforcement controversy in New York City. Officials from the Department of Homeland Security indicated they would accommodate a tour if the representatives scheduled it with proper advance notice.

Constitutional Authority Disputed

Both representatives strongly objected to being denied entry, arguing that their constitutional oversight responsibilities give them the right to conduct unannounced inspections of federal facilities. The confrontation highlighted tensions between congressional oversight authority and agency security protocols. Representative Espaillat declared that by denying them access, ICE had violated not only their rights as members of Congress but also “the rights of the American people” to have proper oversight of federal operations.

Representative Velázquez forcefully questioned what officials might be concealing by refusing immediate access. A DHS spokeswoman countered that the lawmakers had simply arrived unannounced and were offered a scheduled tour in accordance with standard protocols. The agency maintains that advance notice is necessary for security reasons and to ensure appropriate staff are available to conduct congressional tours.

Protests and Arrests Precede Inspection Attempt

The lawmakers’ attempted inspection came in the wake of significant protests outside the same federal building. Just a day earlier, demonstrators had gathered to block ICE vehicles and protest deportations, resulting in confrontations with police. The New York Police Department arrested 22 protesters during these demonstrations. Activists expressed concerns about what they described as increasing enforcement actions against immigrants in the city.

Among the protesters was Santiago Castro, who told reporters he was participating because his father had recently been arrested by ICE. The protests highlighted the emotional and political tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in New York City, which has designated itself as a sanctuary city. Both Representatives Espaillat and Velázquez have been vocal critics of federal immigration policies and have promised to continue attempting to gain access to the facility.

Ongoing Scrutiny of Detention Conditions

This incident is part of a broader pattern of concern about conditions in immigration detention facilities across the country. In recent years, numerous reports have documented overcrowding, inadequate medical care, and other problematic conditions in ICE detention centers. Congressional oversight visits have become an important mechanism for accountability, though agencies maintain that proper protocols must be followed to accommodate such inspections.

Both Representatives Espaillat and Velázquez vowed to return to the facility. “Today ICE violated all of our rights because as an extension, we are here to defend your rights, the rights of the American people to have access and oversight to the federal buildings to ensure that everything is done correctly and in accordance to the law,” Representative Espaillat stated. The lawmakers indicated they would continue pressing for access to verify conditions at the facility firsthand.