by Kandiss Edwards
January 12, 2026
Ilhan’s denied detention heart go to occurred amid heightened tensions in Minnesota following the deadly capturing of Renee Good by an ICE agent.
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar and two different Democratic members of Congress had been denied entry to a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility close to Minneapolis.
On Jan. 10, Omar of Minnesota was joined by Reps. Angie Craig and Kelly Morrison on the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Constructing at Fort Snelling in St. Paul. There, they tried to tour an ICE detention heart holding immigrant detainees ready on standing determinations.
The representatives mentioned that they had prior authorization from a senior native ICE official to conduct oversight of situations inside the power. They had been initially allowed into the holding space, however authorities then abruptly rescinded entry, telling them they might not proceed the tour, Omar mentioned, talking to reporters.
“We had been initially invited in to do our Congressional oversight and to train our Article I duties,” Omar informed reporters after the incident. “After we made it in, it was with the authorization of somebody who’s been right here for a very very long time, who understood that we had a Congressional responsibility to enter the constructing and see the power.”
“Shortly after we had been let in, two officers got here in and mentioned they obtained a message that we had been now not allowed to be within the constructing and that they had been rescinding our invitation and denying any additional entry to the constructing,” she continued.
Omar condemned the denial of entry as a “blatant disregard of the legislation,” asserting that federal statute and court docket precedent permit members of Congress to examine federal detention amenities with out advance discover. She mentioned the refusal undermines congressional oversight powers and transparency in detention operations.
Division of Homeland Safety DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin cited security issues for detainees and employees as the explanation for blocking additional entry, Fox Information reported.
“For the protection of detainees and employees, and in compliance with the company’s mandate, the Members of Congress had been notified that their go to was improper and out of compliance with current court docket orders and insurance policies, which mandate that members of Congress should notify ICE not less than seven days prematurely of Congressional visits,” McLaughlin mentioned.
The denied go to occurred amid heightened tensions in Minnesota following the deadly capturing of Renee Good by an ICE agent. Good’s dying, which many see as unjustified, has sparked widespread protests and intensified scrutiny of immigration enforcement ways. On Jan. 10, tens of hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Minneapolis to demand accountability and modifications to federal immigration coverage.
RELATED CONTENT: Mayor Frey, Governor Walz Inform ICE To ‘Get The F**okay Out’ After Capturing Of Native Resident
