Per the updated guidelines:
- Detention facilities can still be visited by lawmakers without notice, but under rare “exigent circumstances,” DHS may temporarily delay access for operational or safety reasons.
- Field office visits require a 72-hour notice and prior approval through a formal visitor engagement process.
These adjustments come in the wake of recent, high-profile visits to ICE facilities by various lawmakers. Some of these events, according to DHS, presented public safety concerns. In one instance, a visit by members of Congress and local officials to a facility in Newark, New Jersey, became the subject of debate over conduct and protocol.
DHS officials say the new rules are intended to balance transparency and oversight with safety and operational efficiency.
While lawmakers still retain oversight responsibilities, DHS reiterated that the purpose of the updated policy is to ensure visits are conducted in a safe, orderly manner and with proper coordination.