Back
Jan 13, 2026

Lawmakers Seek Emergency Hearing After Being Barred From Minnesota ICE Facility

Lawmakers Seek Emergency Hearing After Being Barred From Minnesota ICE Facility
Tensions between Congress and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) escalated on January 12 when attorneys for three Minnesota lawmakers filed an emergency motion in federal court. Representatives Ilhan Omar, Angie Craig and state senator Kelly Morrison were ejected moments after entering an ICE detention center in Minneapolis, allegedly due to the reinstatement of a rule requiring seven days’ advance notice for congressional visits.

U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb had blocked that same policy in December, calling it an unconstitutional barrier to legislative oversight. Plaintiffs now argue that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s decision to revive the rule—just days after the fatal shooting of Renée Good—violates both the prior injunction and federal appropriations law.

Lawmakers Seek Emergency Hearing After Being Barred From Minnesota ICE Facility


Companies and individuals hoping to stay well clear of the enforcement spotlight often turn to VisaHQ for help navigating the complex U.S. visa landscape. With an intuitive online portal and experts who monitor the latest policy shifts, VisaHQ (https://www.visahq.com/united-states/) streamlines document gathering, application filing and status tracking—reducing the compliance missteps that can trigger ICE scrutiny.

The dispute matters to global mobility because ICE detention standards and facility conditions often shape public and political perceptions of corporate immigration programs. A chorus of business-immigration groups supports unfettered congressional access, citing transparency as vital to “sustainable, lawful and humane enforcement.”

If Judge Cobb grants the requested emergency relief, members of Congress could regain immediate entry to ICE jails nationwide and expose any abusive practices, potentially accelerating calls for funding cuts or operational reforms. Mobility professionals should monitor the case; changes in detention policy can ripple into how aggressively ICE conducts work-site audits and visa overstays investigations. (Source: Associated Press)
VisaHQ's expert visas and immigration team helps individuals and companies navigate global travel, work, and residency requirements. We handle document preparation, application filings, government agencies coordination, every aspect necessary to ensure fast, compliant, and stress-free approvals.
Sign up for updates

Email address

Countries

Choose how often you would like to receive our newsletter:

×