Three U.S. representatives from Riverside County tried to visit a federal detention center on Friday, but only one — the lone Republican — was let in, the Press-Enterprise reports.
Reps. Jay Obernolte, Raul Ruiz and Norma Torres tried get into the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, but only Obernolte, a Republican from Hesperia, was reportedly let in.
Ruiz and Torres, Democrats from Palm Desert and Ontario, respectively, were denied entry.
Department of Homeland Security officials claimed Obernolte provided prior notice of his visit while Ruiz and Torres did not, though the Democrats posted to social media documentation of their prior notice.
Obernolte praised the conditions at the facility after his visit.
“It’s clear to me that this facility is doing its job: ensuring that detainees are treated humanely – with access to medical care, legal representation, and timely hearings – while helping ICE carry out its mission to enforce our immigration laws,” he said on social media. “Upholding the rule of law means having a system that is both fair and effective, and the Adelanto center plays a key role in that effort.”
In an emailed statement to the Press-Enterprise, Torres said she’s “glad Congressman Obernolte had the opportunity to visit the Adelanto facility — but Democrats deserve the same access.”
“DHS is not above the law. Denying access to Democrats is not only illegal — it’s a dangerous abuse of power,” Torres said.
Federal officials disputed Torres’ claims.
“Congressman Raul Ruiz and Congresswoman Norma Torres showed up to Rep. Obernolte’s approved visit; ignoring the established … directive regarding visiting ICE facilities,” ICE said in a statement to the Press-Enterprise. “They were advised that ICE would be more than happy to accommodate their visit — provided it was scheduled in accordance with (Homeland Security) policy.”
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