The guidance comes as several Democrats have recently denounced the federal agency for denying them access to ICE facilities, where illegal immigrants are being held.
In the new memo, ICE says it retains the power to “deny a request or otherwise cancel, reschedule or terminate a tour or visit” by members of Congress or their staff under certain circumstances.
While congressmen are allowed to make unannounced oversight visits at immigration facilities that “detain or otherwise house aliens,” ICE differentiates its field offices from detention centers. Therefore, the field offices are not subject to the same requirements as detention centers.
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Some immigrants have been held in ICE field offices for several days as their cases are being processed, prompting Democratic lawmakers to take action.
On Wednesday,
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