"For the second time in a week, members of the San Diego Democratic congressional delegation on Monday tried to conduct an oversight inspection of an immigration detention facility inside the Edward J. Schwartz federal building in downtown San Diego, but were denied access. U.S. Reps. Juan Vargas, Scott Peters, Mike Levin and Sara Jacobs said they had received reports of an increased number of people being detained in a basement facility and wanted to know the conditions under which they were being held."
"When the group arrived, local federal officials said they could not allow them in. The officials explained that they were following policy procedures, despite the lawmakers' insistence that they had oversight capacity and the responsibility to conduct an inspection. Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that no staff were available to process such a request during the government shutdown."
Members of the San Diego Democratic congressional delegation attempted an oversight inspection of an immigration detention facility inside the Edward J. Schwartz federal building and were denied access. Lawmakers reported receiving accounts of an increased number of people detained in a basement facility and sought information on their conditions. Immigration courtrooms and the local ICE office are located in the building. Officials said they were following policy and cited no available staff to process the request during the government shutdown. Lawmakers and senators sent a letter demanding answers and referenced reports of subpar conditions and lack of legal, medical, and nutritional access.
Read at www.sandiegouniontribune.com
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