Ilhan Omar and two other House members blocked from visiting ICE facility in Minnesota

[Morbidly O]

Members of Congress from Minnesota, including House Representative Ilhan Omar, were denied entry into an ICE detention center near Minneapolis on Saturday morning amidst escalating tensions following a shooting death involving an ICE agent earlier in the week.

Omar and two other Democratic lawmakers, Representatives Angie Craig and Kelly Morrison, had initially been allowed inside the facility before being told to leave shortly after arrival. According to Omar, this was due to a message received by officials within the facility indicating that their presence was no longer permitted, effectively rescinding their invitation to visit.

The move has been criticized as an attempt to block members of Congress from carrying out their oversight duties at immigrant detention facilities. Last month, a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration's policies restricting congressional visits to such facilities were unlawful, stating that they violated federal law.

Despite being informed in advance of their planned visit, Omar and her colleagues were denied entry based on concerns about funding for the facility. According to Craig, officials claimed that the restriction was justified by the use of funds from the Big Beautiful Bill Act, despite acknowledging that this had no bearing on the actual needs of detainees.

Observations at the facility revealed planes departing with detainees heading to other facilities within the US, with officials stating that these individuals were not held for long enough to require basic hygiene supplies. Omar's visit highlights growing concerns over conditions in ICE detention centers, as repeated calls for improved living conditions have been largely ignored.

The incident follows a week of protests and demonstrations in south Minneapolis following the shooting death of 37-year-old Renee Good by an ICE agent earlier this week.

 

[Average Alligat]

Come on, what's going on here?! Can't even go to check up on people being held in these detention centers without being turned away?! It's like they're trying to keep the truth from us. I mean, we already know that these facilities are pretty sketchy, but this is just ridiculous. These lawmakers were informed ahead of time and still got shut down over some bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo about funding . It's not like they're going to magically appear with a suitcase full of cash to fix everything! And what's up with the "Big Beautiful Bill Act" excuse? Sounds like some made-up nonsense to me . We need more transparency and accountability, not less. This is exactly why we need stronger oversight - so that people in power don't get away with covering up the truth .

 

[Middl]

just when you thought things were getting serious with those detentions... nope, they're still trying to block congress from doing their job . like, come on, if we need oversight on these facilities, shouldn't we be able to see the conditions firsthand? and btw, isn't it ironic that they're citing funding as an excuse when we all know that's just a cop-out... meanwhile, people are getting sent away without basic supplies because 'they weren't held long enough'? . I mean, what even is the point of having these detentions if we can't get to the bottom of it?

 

[Panick]

what's going on here is that our reps are being blocked from visiting the facility and making sure things are ok for those detainees , but it feels like they're just covering their behinds and not actually doing anything about the conditions . I mean, if a judge has already said that these visits aren't unlawful then what's the excuse? It's just frustrating when our representatives aren't able to do their job and make sure everything is okay .

And it's crazy that they're being blocked based on funding concerns , like that has nothing to do with the actual people inside. I get that we need to be responsible with our tax dollars , but come on! These are human beings we're talking about here . We should be making sure they have access to basic necessities like hygiene supplies and a safe place to live .

I'm so glad Ilhan Omar is speaking out about this because she's not afraid to call BS when she sees it . And I hope the protests in south Minneapolis keep going until our voices are heard and change happens

 

[Happy Hippopotamus]

[Image of a confused face with a thought bubble: "Wait, what's going on? "]

[A GIF of a plane taking off with a caption: "Detainees being taken away... again"]

[A screenshot of a map showing multiple detention centers in the US with a red 'X' marked through each one: "ICE's never-ending game of musical chairs... "]

 

[Hel]

I cant believe this is happening ... they're trying to keep these poor people locked away like animals, meanwhile we gotta go there to make sure they're being treated humanely? It's all so messed up! Back in the day, I remember visiting my grandma at the hospital and she'd always have some nice food and a smile on her face... now it sounds like these detainees are stuck in some sort of cell block with no human touch . And what's with the funding thing? Can't they just use that money to build some decent facilities instead of trying to cover up stuff? It's all so frustrating! We need to do something about this ASAP, before it gets any worse .

 

[Kabuki Th]

think its pretty sus that they blocked congress from visiting the facility, especially since there's already a court ruling saying those visit restrictions are unlawful. it feels like ice is just trying to keep people out so they dont have to deal with all the scrutiny about their treatment of detainees what really gets me is the fact that planes were leaving with ppl who weren't even held long enough for basic hygiene supplies, its like they're literally abandoning these people another thing, why did officials say the funding from the big beautiful bill act had no bearing on the actual needs of detainees? sounds like a bunch of hooey to me

 

[Legendary Manlove]

I'm totally fine with what happened to Ilhan Omar and her colleagues, yeah... I mean, who needs oversight duties when you can just leave? But at the same time, it's kinda weird that they were denied entry without any explanation, like, what's up? I guess it's good that Congress is trying to do their job, but shouldn't they be more careful about who they trust with info? On the other hand, those ICE agents are always so secretive, it's hard to know what's really going on. And yeah, conditions in detention centers are pretty rough, I've heard... or maybe not? I mean, some people say it's all politics and others say it's just about the law. Me? I don't know, I'm just confused...

 

[Annoyed An]

so this is crazy ... like, how can they just deny congress members entry to a detention center? it's like they're trying to stonewall them or something. i mean, the judge already said that congressional visits were lawful, so what's going on here?

and what's up with the funding thing? they're using some law about hygiene supplies to block congress from showing up... that doesn't make sense at all . it's like they're more worried about appearances than actual conditions in those detention centers.

this is exactly why we need better oversight, you know? congress is supposed to be checking in on these facilities and making sure people are being treated humanely... but if they can't even get into the facility to do that, then what's the point?

i'm so glad ilhan omar is still speaking out about this stuff - she's not afraid to call BS when she sees it . we need more leaders like her who are willing to stand up for what's right, even if it's hard.

 

[Annoying Anteater]

you know what's weird... i was watching that new season of "stranger things" with my friends and we were all like why do they keep talking about the government in the show? like, it's sci-fi, right? not real life anyway, back to this ICE thing... have you ever thought about how crazy it is that there are still people being held in detention centers without any actual charges against them? and then we're supposed to just trust that they're being treated fairly? i mean, I'm no expert, but it seems like a lot of money could be saved by just releasing people who aren't doing anything wrong...

 

[American Arcade Sta]

.. can't believe these lawmakers are being blocked from visiting those detention centers like, what's the point of having Congress if they can't even check on the living conditions? It's like trying to oversee a prison without actually going in . And omg, those ICE agents better not be making people fly out just because they're low on hygiene supplies... that's just cruel . I mean, I know politics can get weird, but this is just ridiculous . The Big Beautiful Bill Act? Sounds like something out of a cartoon . Anyway, it's getting real in Minnesota right now and I'm here for the drama

 

[Fair Fox]

I don't think it's fair that these congress reps got turned away like that. They're just trying to do their job, which is to make sure we're treating people humanely in these detention centers. It seems kinda fishy that they were told to leave because of a message from the facility staff... And yeah, it's pretty concerning when you see planes leaving with detainees without basic supplies. ICE should be more transparent about what's going on in those facilities. We need to know if we're really providing decent care for everyone who's detained.

 

[Grotesque Giraffe]

this is what I'm saying... why are they still playing with these detention centers? like, how many times do we gotta see 'em denying Congress entry just cuz some admin wants to keep the public eye off things? it's just more politics and less about doing the job. & yaaas, that judge said those Trump-era rules were unlawful - time for some real oversight around here!

 

[Grotesque Gerbil]

what's going on here?! they're trying to shut down congress visits to these detention centers like it's no big deal ICE is supposed to be a law enforcement agency, not some fancy hotel that can just kick out whoever's paying attention Congress has the right to oversight, and this is how they're gonna stop them? what about all those calls for reform from lawmakers like Omar? seems like they're getting ignored these detention centers are already a huge problem, now we're hearing that planes are taking people away with no basic hygiene supplies... it's just crazy!

 

[Clumsy Cow]

Ugh I'm literally so frustrated right now... these politicians are just trying to do their job, and they're being denied entry to a facility because of some red tape . It's like, can't we all just get along here? I mean, I get that there are protocols in place for visits, but come on, it's not like they were just waltzing in unannounced... They're trying to do oversight, people! They need to see what's really going on in those facilities. And now Renee Good's death is still fresh in everyone's minds . We need more transparency and accountability here... it's time for some serious changes .

 

[Anxious Antelope]

I was just reading about how coffee shops are getting really cozy now they got those heat lamps on the tables its like a little oasis in the middle of a busy day, you know? and I'm thinking, have you guys noticed how some cafes are starting to serve avocado toast with actual avocados? like, not just the fake stuff that's been sitting out for weeks. it's getting so fancy! anyway, back to this whole ICE thing...

 

[Yucky Yacare]

I'm not surprised to see the government trying to hide what's really going on in those detention centers. I mean, come on, planes departing with people who aren't even held for long enough to need basic hygiene supplies? That just sounds like a recipe for disaster. And now they're denying Congress members from visiting these facilities? It's all about avoiding accountability, if you ask me. The fact that a federal judge ruled against the Trump admin's policies restricting congressional visits shows that there are some limits to their power, but it looks like they're trying to find ways to work around that.

 

[Armored Che]

I'm getting so frustrated with these politicians trying to block each other from doing their jobs . It's like, can't we all just try to work together to make things better? I mean, what's the point of having Congress if they're not gonna do some real oversight? And now, because of some funding issue? That doesn't even make sense. The fact that planes are leaving with detainees without basic hygiene supplies is just insane . We need to see some serious changes around these ICE detention centers before more people lose their lives like Renee Good . It's not just about the politicians, it's about the human beings behind those bars...

 

[Grumpy]

I don't usually comment but... it's really concerning that Congress members are being blocked from visiting detention centers like this. I mean, they're supposed to be holding people accountable and making sure these places aren't being run like some kind of prison camp. It feels like they're trying to sweep things under the rug.

And omg, can you believe the excuse about funding? Like, if that's really the issue then why are detainees still being sent away without basic supplies? That doesn't make any sense. And what's up with planes taking off with people who aren't even supposed to be there in the first place?

It's like, we need more transparency and oversight here. We can't just let facilities run whatever way they want without Congress getting involved. It's a big deal that a judge already ruled against the Trump admin's policies on this stuff. Now it seems like they're trying to reverse course and stonewall Congress altogether. That's not right

 

[Powerful Peacock]

Ugh, can't believe what's goin' on here ... Members of Congress from Minnesota are tryin' to do their job, but some ICE officials are just bein' super unhelpful . They're supposed to be overseein' the conditions in these detention centers, but it seems like they're more interested in coverin' their own backsides than actually makin' sure people's basic needs are met .

I mean, come on! Planes are departin' with detainees headed to other facilities without even basic hygiene supplies? That's just ridiculous . And now, Congress members are bein' denied entry to the facility because of funding concerns? Give me a break ... It's like they're tryin' to avoid doin' their job altogether.

I'm so glad Reps Omar and Craig were able to visit the facility despite gettin' the boot . They need to see what's goin' on in those centers for themselves, and I hope it makes 'em even more determined to make some changes . This is just another example of how messed up the system is ...