Last Saturday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement barred Democratic Rep. Yassamin Ansari from meeting with constituents who have been locked up in ICE’s Eloy Detention Center. Friday, ICE wouldn’t even let Ansari’s colleague, Arizona Rep. Greg Stanton, into the building.

Both lawmakers blasted what they said is ICE’s patently unlawful interference with Congress’ ability to conduct oversight of federal agencies.

“It’s totally illegal and totally a violation,” Stanton told reporters at a Phoenix press conference Friday afternoon, an hour after being turned away at Eloy. “This cannot stand. The law has to be followed.”

Members of Congress have the right to conduct random, unannounced oversight of immigration facilities like Eloy Detention Center, which is owned and operated by private pri

See Full Page