US Representative Veronica Escobar says federal immigration officials prevented her from fully carrying out a congressional oversight visit to the country’s largest Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Texas.
Escobar, a Democrat representing El Paso, visited Camp East Montana at Fort Bliss last month following two reported disturbances at the facility. She said officials prevented her from speaking directly with detained immigrants and that she has not received surveillance footage she requested concerning the incidents.
The facility, which opened at the US Army base last year, is a tent-based detention centre with capacity for up to 5,000 people. It has faced criticism over its conditions and management.
Escobar said the restrictions were part of broader difficulties congressional lawmakers have encountered when attempting to conduct oversight of immigration detention facilities under the Trump administration. She and other lawmakers previously sued over restrictions on their access.
The Department of Homeland Security disputed her account, saying members of Congress can request meetings with detainees and that ICE will facilitate them when both sides agree. DHS also rejected claims that officials had refused an official request for data and surveillance footage.
The dispute comes amid continuing scrutiny of immigration detention practices and the extent of congressional oversight of federal immigration agencies.
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