Judge refuses to block new DHS policy limiting Congress members’ access to ICE facilities

Associated Press (AP)EN 3 min read 100% complete by By MICHAEL KUNZELMANJanuary 20, 2026 at 06:53 AM

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A federal judge in Washington, D.C. has denied a request to block a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policy requiring a seven-day notice for congressional visits to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities. Judge Jia Cobb ruled that the DHS did not violate a previous court order with the new policy, implemented January 8, 2026. The ruling came after three Democratic members of Congress from Minnesota were blocked from visiting an ICE facility near Minneapolis. The representatives were turned away three days after an ICE officer fatally shot a U.S. citizen. While Cobb acknowledged similarities between the new policy and a previously blocked one, she stated the challenge was brought using the wrong legal procedure and did not rule on the policy's legality.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Renee Good ×250% Democracy Forward ×260% Kristi Noem 60% Minneapolis ×360% Kelly Morrison ×270% Ilhan Omar ×270% Angie Craig ×270% Jia Cobb ×480% Immigration and Customs Enforcement ×380% Department of Homeland Security ×390%

Keywords

immigration detention facilities 90% congressional oversight 80% department of homeland security 70% ice facilities 70% seven-day notice requirement 70% court order 60% federal judge 50% legal policy 50% ilhan omar 40% renee good 40%

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Negative

Score: -0.20

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Associated Press (AP)

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90%

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immigration detention facilities congressional oversight department of homeland security ice facilities seven-day notice requirement court order federal judge legal policy ilhan omar renee good

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