Judge rules Trump can’t block ICE detention visits by Congress

March 2 (UPI) — A federal judge in Washington, D.C., ruled Monday that the Trump administration can’t block members of Congress from making unannounced visits to Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities.

U.S. District Court Judge Jia Cobb said an order from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that required lawmakers to give a seven-day notice before visiting the facilities violated the law.

Under a the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Noem is not allowed to use funds appropriated by Congress to then prevent them from visiting ICE detention facilities. Cobb said the Department of Homeland Security, however, used appropriated funds to craft the seven-day policy announced in January.

“The power of the purse rests with Congress, and even a deep-pocketed agency must comply with Congress’ restrictions on the permissible use of appropriated funds,” Cobb’s ruling said.

The Trump administration appealed the ruling Monday, The Hill and Politico reported.

Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Colo., the lead plaintiff in the case, praised Cobb’s ruling in a post on X.

“Despite the Trump administration’s unlawful attempts to block Members of Congress from conducting oversight, a federal court just affirmed in Neguse et al v. ICE et al. — ONCE AGAIN — our clear right to conduct unannounced oversight visits,” he wrote.

“We will keep fighting to ensure the rule of law prevails.”