On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, Democratic members of Congress filed a 67-page lawsuit in the District of Columbia’s federal court against President Donald Trump’s administration. The lawsuit argues, “Each member of Congress has a right to conduct oversight visits at Department of Homeland Security facilities.”MORE: DHS issues new guidance for lawmakers visiting ICE facilitiesView lawsuit, hereIn addition, Democratic members of Congress allege the Department of Homeland Security and ICE are obstructing Congressional oversight of the centers, particularly during a surge of ICE arrests, as well as reports of raids across the United States. On Wednesday, KOAT spoke with Republican Party of New Mexico chairwoman Amy Barela regarding the lawsuit. KOAT also reached out to Rep. Gabe Vasquez for an interview following his press release on claims of not being “permitted to speak with detained individuals,” despite “his lawful right to congressional oversight and prior submission of privacy forms.” However, a spokesperson for Vasquez told KOAT he was unable to conduct an interview due to patchy service while traveling. KOAT legal expert John Day weighed in on the legalities of the lawsuit. “This is a battle between the Trump administration’s executive branch and Democratic members of Congress who say that they’re being stonewalled. They say that they want to have these unannounced visits, so they can check the conditions of these detention centers, because they received reports that the conditions are terrible and that they’re dangerous,” Day said.”What they say is, ‘if we have to give seven days notice, it defeats the purpose of having oversight and unannounced inspections, because if we give you notice, you’re going to have time to fix any problems,'” Day said.”I obviously disagree that Homeland Security is blocking anybody from finding out any information about our immigration and our ICE facilities. Everybody knows that there is a process. If you want to visit even a jail, you have to admit yourself into it. Announce yourself coming and fill out proper paperwork to attend,” RPNM Chairwoman Amy Barela told KOAT.”This is standard for everybody. Every jail, every ICE facility, whatever you’re going to do. And not even an elected official has a right just to walk in the door anytime they feel the need,” Barela said.Stay updated on the latest news updates with the KOAT app. Download here.
On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, Democratic members of Congress filed a 67-page lawsuit in the District of Columbia’s federal court against President Donald Trump’s administration. The lawsuit argues, “Each member of Congress has a right to conduct oversight visits at Department of Homeland Security facilities.”
MORE: DHS issues new guidance for lawmakers visiting ICE facilities
View lawsuit, here
In addition, Democratic members of Congress allege the Department of Homeland Security and ICE are obstructing Congressional oversight of the centers, particularly during a surge of ICE arrests, as well as reports of raids across the United States.
On Wednesday, KOAT spoke with Republican Party of New Mexico chairwoman Amy Barela regarding the lawsuit. KOAT also reached out to Rep. Gabe Vasquez for an interview following his press release on claims of not being “permitted to speak with detained individuals,” despite “his lawful right to congressional oversight and prior submission of privacy forms.”
However, a spokesperson for Vasquez told KOAT he was unable to conduct an interview due to patchy service while traveling. KOAT legal expert John Day weighed in on the legalities of the lawsuit.
“This is a battle between the Trump administration’s executive branch and Democratic members of Congress who say that they’re being stonewalled. They say that they want to have these unannounced visits, so they can check the conditions of these detention centers, because they received reports that the conditions are terrible and that they’re dangerous,” Day said.
“What they say is, ‘if we have to give seven days notice, it defeats the purpose of having oversight and unannounced inspections, because if we give you notice, you’re going to have time to fix any problems,'” Day said.
“I obviously disagree that Homeland Security is blocking anybody from finding out any information about our immigration and our ICE facilities. Everybody knows that there is a process. If you want to visit even a jail, you have to admit yourself into it. Announce yourself coming and fill out proper paperwork to attend,” RPNM Chairwoman Amy Barela told KOAT.
“This is standard for everybody. Every jail, every ICE facility, whatever you’re going to do. And not even an elected official has a right just to walk in the door anytime they feel the need,” Barela said.
Stay updated on the latest news updates with the KOAT app. Download here.
