Congressmen Scott Peters and Juan Vargas, both Democrats, announced they had sought to investigate reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees had been held for days underground in the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Courthouse basement in downtown San Diego. But they said the Trump administration denied them access on Monday.

Peters and Vargas said their offices gave notice of their plan but were still turned away.

Ruth Mendez, a volunteer with San Diego immigrant and refugee advocacy group Detention Resistance, told NBC 7 she has received reports of poor treatment, too.

“Calling a family member or attorney is incredibly hard,” she said. “And they’re expected to not question why they’ve been detained.”

Mendez helps people or families of those who have been detained by

See Full Page