Omar has plenty of scandals to deal with. This is just adding fuel to the fire.
And now Ilhan Omar just had a run in with Homeland Security she’ll never forget.
A Brief Entry and Swift Removal
Over the weekend, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and fellow Minnesota Democrats Reps. Angie Craig and Kelly Morrison attempted an unannounced visit to the ICE facility at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis as part of their congressional oversight responsibilities.
They were initially allowed inside by staff who recognized their authority to inspect the premises and carry out Article I duties. Once in, the group began questioning officials about detainee conditions, including hygiene and length of stay.
New Rule Imposed by the Trump Administration
Shortly after entry, officials approached and informed the lawmakers that access was being revoked under a fresh policy from the Trump administration, effective that same day, requiring members of Congress to provide at least one week’s advance notice for visits to ICE facilities.
This marks the administration’s second effort to impose such restrictions—a prior version from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was struck down by a federal judge last month, which found that unrestricted congressional access aligns with federal spending laws and oversight powers.
DHS Justification and Lawmaker Response
DHS officials defended the decision, citing compliance with “existing court orders and policies” mandating seven days’ notice, along with safety concerns for detainees and staff.
A DHS spokeswoman claimed the visit carried an “explicit goal of ‘hunting down’ ICE officers who they believed may have been staying there,” though the lawmakers described their purpose as routine oversight amid ongoing local tensions following a recent ICE-related shooting.
Omar, speaking to reporters afterward, maintained that they had been properly authorized at first:
“We were initially invited in to do our congressional oversight and to exercise our Article I duties… Shortly after we were let in, two officials came in and said they received a message that we were no longer allowed to be in the building and that they were rescinding our invitation and denying any further access to the building.”
She characterized some official responses during the brief time inside as “insane,” particularly around detainee treatment and holding periods, and accused the administration of obstructing legitimate congressional scrutiny.
The episode highlights continuing friction over access to immigration detention sites under the current administration.
