Democrat lawmakers pushing to inspect federal detention centers are facing a new reality—ICE isn’t playing along. On Tuesday, Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi and Jonathan Jackson were visibly blocked from entering the South Loop ICE facility in Chicago. As they approached, an ICE official abruptly shut the window in their faces, rejecting their attempt at a surprise inspection.
Krishnamoorthi later claimed their visit was part of congressional oversight related to what he called “potential illegal ICE activities” under Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. “We went to ask questions,” he said, “and were turned away without explanation.”
This isn’t an isolated event. Earlier this month, Congresswoman Maxine Waters attempted a similar visit to a detention center in Los Angeles, only to be ignored and left shouting outside while an ICE agent slammed the door on her.
The drama reached new heights when Senator Alex Padilla physically stormed the podium during Governor Kristi Noem’s ICE press conference in Los Angeles and was tackled and cuffed by security.
As Democrats ramp up efforts to scrutinize ICE operations, they’re finding themselves locked out—both figuratively and literally. The power struggle over immigration enforcement is now unfolding not just in the courts or at the border, but at the very doors of America’s detention centers.