ICE blocks Reps Vargas and Peters from visiting San Diego basement holding cells
The two members of Congress said they went to the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building in downtown San Diego after reports of overcrowding and increased detentions.
Written by Kate Morrissey, Video by Brittany Cruz-Fejeran, Edited by Lauren J. Mapp
After reports of increased detentions at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices in downtown San Diego leading to overcrowded conditions in the basement holding cells of the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building, Reps. Juan Vargas and Scott Peters showed up Monday morning to inspect the facilities. ICE turned them away.
According to volunteers who accompany people and their families to court hearings and ICE check-in appointments, the agency may have had as many as 200 people in the basement in its custody going into the weekend, some held far beyond the limit for short-term detention spaces like this one. They received frozen burritos for meals and did not have access to adequate medical care, the volunteers said.
Families have told the volunteers that collect calls from their loved ones held there cost more than $50.
ICE did not respond to a request for comment.
As the members of Congress addressed the media following their oversight attempt, two protesters stood behind them, critiquing their stances on Israel and Gaza.
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