Baltimore, MD – Yesterday, Representative Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, conducted an unannounced congressional oversight visit to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Field Office in Baltimore, Maryland. There, he saw severe overcrowding and heard detainees shout that they had been held for days in inhumane conditions. 

“In Baltimore today, I witnessed people suffering in extremely inhumane conditions. In this facility, originally meant to hold people for no more than 12 hours, ICE is keeping people for days in overcrowded rooms with one toilet and no showers. No one should be forced to endure this brutal treatment for days on end,” said Rep. Raskin.

“I am convinced even further that unless Secretary Kristi Noem resigns or is fired, Chairman Jim Jordan should immediately commence House Judiciary Committee impeachment proceedings to remove her from office. Her reign of terror must come to an end.”

Rep. Raskin visited the ICE facility pursuant to a federal court order he and 12 other Members of Congress secured as part of a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for blocking Members of Congress’ legal right to conduct unannounced oversight visits of ICE facilities. Since last year, DHS Secretary Noem has tried three times, in contravention of the law, to impose a policy requiring Members of Congress to provide seven days’ notice before being granted access to federal immigration detention facilities. On February 2, a federal judge ruled in favor of Rep. Raskin and the other plaintiffs, temporarily blocking Noem from obstructing their oversight capabilities.

Watch Rep. Raskin’s video message above

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