As federal officials continue to restrict congressional access to immigration detention facilities, Rep. Paul Tonko and Rep. Dan Goldman have been the latest figures to encounter barriers in performing oversight duties. According to Gothamist, Tonko was barred from entering a facility in Batavia, despite federal law allowing congresspersons to visit detention centers without notice. Tonko's intention to check on constituents was halted even with his reference to a June DHS inspector general's report finding staffing and human rights issues.
Similarly, Goldman faced obstruction at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, despite the assurance that a prior arrangement would secure his admittance. This encounter came on the heels of a lawsuit filed against the Trump administration, which included Goldman and 11 other members of Congress, pointing towards a systemic denial of access to immigration detention facilities. This action conflicts with Section 527(a) of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024, that explicitly grants such authority to Congress members, as reported by ABC7NY.
These incidents highlight concerns over the conditions within these facilities, which have faced scrutiny for substandard care and the use of force against detainees. The aforementioned DHS inspector general's report, for instance, identified issues such as inadequate medical staffing and improper applications of force. Goldman, in his attempts to inspect facilities in Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan, is endeavoring to expose what he terms "inhumane conditions," in a statement obtained by ABC7NY.
The response from the Department of Homeland Security indicates a difference in approach. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated that members of Congress can arrange tours through proper scheduling rather than pursuing legal action. At the same time, videos obtained by local civic groups depict detainees in crowded conditions with limited privacy, while official channels have resisted allowing unannounced inspections by elected officials. Congressman Tim Kennedy toured the Batavia facility in June 2024, located in Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney's district. Her spokesperson did not comment when reached out for a response.
