A surprise visit by U.S. Representatives Ilhan Omar, Kelly Morrison, and Angie Craig to the immigration detention center at Fort Snelling was abruptly halted on Saturday morning when Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees ordered them to leave.
During their brief time inside the facility, Morrison and Omar reported seeing 20 detainees in a center that lacks beds. This visit comes amid a significant increase in ICE and Border Patrol activity in the Twin Cities, following the recent fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in south Minneapolis.
The Minnesota Democrats stated they had received prior authorization from a senior official at the local Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office to conduct oversight at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building and assess the conditions for detainees. However, after a short time inside, Craig reported that they were abruptly told to return to a waiting area while DHS leadership decided the next steps. They were informed that access was denied because the facility’s funding came from a bill that did not involve congressional appropriations.
Craig criticized this explanation, bringing legal precedents to support their right to access the facility. She referenced a December 2025 U.S. District Court ruling that temporarily blocked policies from the Trump administration requiring lawmakers to provide seven days’ notice before visiting ICE facilities, arguing that such requirements likely exceeded DHS’s authority and hindered Congress’s oversight responsibilities.
Omar added that DHS staff explicitly stated, “Yes, the law is on your side, but we don’t care, and we are not going to allow you to fulfill your oversight duties.” Her office emphasized that, as congressional members, they have automatic access to federal facilities, and the authorization was merely a courtesy heads-up.
“What happened today is a blatant attempt to obstruct members of Congress from doing their oversight duties,” Omar stated. “When we appropriate funds, we are expected to ensure transparency and accountability in their use, and today, ICE agents decided that we could not fulfill our constitutional responsibilities.”
Despite attempts to reach DHS and ICE for comments, there was no immediate response. During their limited access, Morrison, a doctor, and Omar were able to inquire about hygiene conditions, learning that although showers were available, no hygiene products were provided because detainees are not held long-term. Omar described this situation as “insane,” citing previous accounts from individuals detained at the center.
Craig asserted their commitment to oversight, saying, “We are going to continue to show up. We’re going to continue to do our job,” while highlighting that ICE was aware they were violating federal law.
Before and after the visit, vehicles carrying immigration agents were seen entering and exiting the Whipple Building, as a small group of protesters gathered outside, shouting at the cars. Reports also indicated that officers photographed demonstrators from their vehicles, with at least one incident involving an officer deploying pepper spray directly into a protester’s eyes as the car left.
Omar expressed pride in the community’s support for one another, stating, “It’s been beautiful to see, and that kind of resistance is why ICE agents seem so angry and agitated.”
