Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have denied Representative Doris Matsui entry to the Sacramento detention facility. Matsui, representing California's 6th Congressional District, visited the facility with Sacramento County Board Chairman Phil Serna and City Councilmember Eric Guerra to inspect conditions after reports of detainees being held overnight. According to The Sacramento Bee, they were turned away during this visit.
ICE officials have not addressed claims of poor conditions at a local facility, including limited water, restricted restroom access, no air conditioning, and unclear availability of beds for overnight detainees. Reports indicate that two individuals were held overnight before being sent to Seattle, as mentioned by The Sacramento Bee. Rep. Matsui cited her congressional oversight responsibilities and said she will continue trying to inspect the facility. Local authorities are also seeking information from ICE amid concerns about overcrowded immigrant detention nationwide.
Legal advocates have reported challenges at the Sacramento detention facility, including limited access for lawyers and unusual overnight detentions. Nicole Zanardi, legal director with the California Immigration Project, said, "Lawyers have lately struggled with gaining access to the building to gather information and provide legal immigration services," as reported by KCRA. Negotiations for an upcoming inspection are ongoing, but no date has been set. Congresswoman Matsui has said she will observe the facility conditions, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement has not commented publicly on the matter.
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