Congress Members Visit Downtown LA Immigration Detention Facility Amid Concerns

Oversight Visit to Downtown LA Detention Facility

• 🎯 Congress members Jimmy Gomez and Norma Torres conducted a court-authorized oversight visit to a federal immigration detention facility in downtown Los Angeles.
• 💡 The visit was prompted by reports that families, including infants, were allegedly being held in a basement area known as B-17 for over 24 hours.
• ⚠️ Department of Homeland Security has previously denied these specific allegations.

Access and Observations Inside the Facility

• 🚫 Congress members were denied the ability to talk to detainees or take photos during their visit.
• 🧐 They confirmed that B-17 exists and is a waiting room, but observed it contained only chairs and no cribs or facilities for people to rest.
• ❓ No families were visibly present in the B-17 area during their inspection.

Concerns Regarding Detainee Identification and Welfare

• 🔍 Gomez and Torres expressed concern about the difficulty in locating a specific pregnant woman who was reportedly detained over 24 hours prior.
• 😟 They highlighted worries about individuals posing as ICE or CBP agents, potentially without showing badges, especially given the use of masks.
• 🗣️ The congress members are advising immigrants in their districts to fill out a Department of Homeland Security privacy waiver authorization disclosure to allow staff to locate detained individuals within the system.

Facility Conditions and Reporting

• 🧐 Reports indicated that during surges, families were ushered into the basement area, which lacked adequate lights and bathrooms.
• 🏥 While the basement area was intended to keep women and children separate from the general population, concerns remain about the lack of proper ventilation and lighting.
• 📉 The overall concern is about the conditions and the length of time individuals are allegedly held in these areas.