Rep. Paul Tonko Recalls Being Illegally Denied Entry to ICE Facility

ICE Facility Oversight and Denied Entry

• 🏛️ Representative Paul Tonko of New York recounts being illegally denied entry to the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia, New York.
• 🎯 The purpose of the unannounced visit was to gain clarity on the status of constituents, speak with ICE leadership, and conduct general oversight of the facility.
• ⚖️ Tonko was blocked at the gate despite citing the law that grants members of Congress access to such facilities.
• ⚠️ Facility individuals acknowledged they knew they were in violation of the law but still denied entry.

Concerns Regarding ICE Operations

• 😟 Increased ICE activity has created a culture of fear among communities, with reports of Afghans being apprehended near a local mosque.
• 💔 Stories of parents being separated from children, fear of detention due to appearance, and mistreatment in detention are repeatedly heard from constituents.
• 📉 A June report by ICE's Office of Inspector General found the facility and staff were not in compliance with standards related to use of force, communication, grievances, and medical staffing.

Legislative Intent of Oversight

• 📜 Tonko questioned whether the intent of legislation allowing unannounced visits was to provide members of Congress the ability to get an accurate assessment of facilities.
• ✅ A witness confirmed that the legislative intent is indeed to allow for clear and accurate assessments, not just a