Rep. Juan Vargas, San Diego Delegation, CA Senators Demand Answers from DHS on Blocked Oversight Visit to Federal Building, Lack of Agency Response
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52) released the following statement after being blocked for the second time from conducting oversight at the Edward J. Schwartz United States Courthouse.
“As Members of Congress, we have the right and the responsibility to enter detention sites in order to conduct oversight without prior authorization. Today, we were again blocked from entering. If nothing is wrong here, why are we not allowed in? What is ICE hiding? We came here to confirm that the law is being followed. After being denied entry again, I cannot say for certain that’s the case. We will continue to push DHS for answers to what is going on here. We will not stand by while we continue to hear reports that people are being held in concerning conditions.”
On Friday, October 24th, Vargas led U.S. Representatives Mike Levin (CA-49), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), and Scott Peters (CA-50) and U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) in demanding answers from DHS on the agency’s lack of response to repeated requests for an oversight visit.
In their letter, the lawmakers lay out a pattern of ignored requests and stonewalling by DHS, raising serious concerns that the agency is blocking Congressional oversight in violation of the law. Read the full letter HERE and below:
Dear Secretary Noem and Acting Director Lyons:
We write to express urgent concern about the agency’s lack of response to our recent requests to conduct an oversight visit of the detention facilities in the basement of Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building in San Diego. Last week, we began to hear alarming reports of increased numbers of people being detained in the basement facilities of the federal building during routine immigration check-ins. We have also heard reports that people were being detained in subpar conditions, without access to attorneys, medical care, or proper nutrition.
In response, several of us reached out in writing on Saturday October 18, 2025, to formally request an urgent oversight visit. The Office of Congressional Affairs did not respond. Accordingly, on Monday October 20, members of the San Diego delegation attempted to carry out their constitutional duties by visiting the detention facilities in the federal building. Even though we identified ourselves as members of Congress who were conducting federal oversight, local ICE officials denied us entry and told us that we needed seven days’ notice to schedule a site visit.
After the visit, we again reached out to reiterate our request in writing for a tour of the facilities. In response, ICE sent an automated response indicating that the “ICE Office of Congressional Relations staff are currently out of the office and unable to respond to emails, phone calls, or perform other work-related duties” and that “incoming inquiries” would be reviewed only “[o]nce funding is restored.” When asked for confirmation that the message meant that the Department has decided not to allocate any staff to review urgent requests for congressional oversight, a local DHS staff member confirmed that “[a]ll requests must be approved 7 days in advance by HQ Office of Congressional Relations (OCR),” but “due to the government shutdown, these requests are on hold until the government reopens.”
The Department’s decision not to allocate any staff to review urgent requests for congressional oversight is deeply concerning. As members of Congress, we have the right and responsibility to conduct governmental oversight of federal agencies. These oversight responsibilities are especially important in situations, like here, where reports indicate that people’s wellbeing may be at risk.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. This Administration has routinely denied this right and created arbitrary barriers in an attempt to prevent Congressional oversight. For instance, earlier this summer, the Department of Homeland Security implemented a new policy that purports to require oversight visits to be requested 7 days in advance. We continue to maintain that this rule is unlawful, and reiterate Congress’ independent oversight authority, including to conduct visits to any facility where noncitizens are detained or housed. Despite these clear authorities, it is striking that in this instance the Department has decided not to meet even its own timeline.
Given the seriousness of the reports we have received and the health and safety concerns of individuals in custody, we are again providing notice that members of Congress intend to tour these facilities as soon as possible. Given the urgency of this matter and the Department’s lack of responsiveness, we request a confirmation of this communication within the next 24 hours.
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