A coalition of California lawmakers and immigrant advocates were denied entry to the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement facility in Adelanto, where many immigrants detained during recent raids in Los Angeles are being held.
U.S. Rep. Gilbert R. Cisneros Jr. (CA-31) traveled to the Adelanto ICE Processing Center with Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) and Rep. Derek Tran (CA-45) and members of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on Sunday morning, according to a media release from Rep. Cisneros’ office.
“I attempted to conduct Congressional oversight at the Adelanto ICE facility…they locked the gate, ignored our calls and denied us entry,” Rep. Cisneros said. “At Trump’s direction, ICE and DHS agents are harassing our community, questioning our neighbors and disregarding the law by preventing us from conducting oversight.”
“Trump is deliberately manufacturing chaos and inciting fear,” he added. “I will continue to press for answers as our community is under attack.”
The 31st Congressional District under Rep. Cisneros’ constituency encompasses much of the San Gabriel Valley and contains many of the area’s predominantly Hispanic communities. Rep. Chu represents much of northeastern Los Angeles County in the 28th District, and Rep. Tran represents the 45th District, which covers parts of L.A. and Orange counties.
Another local member of Congress, Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), told KTLA on Saturday that he was denied entry to the facility where detained immigrants were being held in downtown Los Angeles.
Gomez, whose 34th District includes many of Los Angeles’ most prominent ethnic enclaves, said the Trump administration was “operating outside the bounds of the law” by not letting members of Congress into the detention facilities to conduct oversight.
