Judge declines to block ICE advanced notice policy for congressional oversight

In a Monday ruling, U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb of Washington, D.C., determined DHS did not violate a prior court order she issued last month as alleged by the lead plaintiff, Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO). The previous order prohibited DHS from requiring one week’s notice from members of Congress requesting oversight visits at ICE facilities.

Following that ruling, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem quietly unveiled the new policy. It’s largely the same as the ICE visitation policy announced last June, but Noem directed that the immigration agency use funds exclusively appropriated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

The memo circumvents a provision in the DHS appropriations bill that grants members of Congress the right to conduct unannounced oversight visits of ICE facilities using