Crow Statement on Favorable Court Ruling Against Trump Administration

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06) issued the following statement after a federal court issued a favorable ruling in his lawsuit against the Trump administration, temporarily blocking the administration from obstructing critical oversight efforts by Members of Congress at federal immigration detention facilities. 

In July, Crow filed the lawsuit after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unlawfully denied him access to the Aurora ICE Detention Facility. Members of Congress have the right under law to conduct unannounced oversight visits of federal facilities. 

In a joint statement, Congressman Crow and other Members of Congress named as plaintiffs said:

“Today’s decision is a critical victory toward restoring our ability to conduct essential congressional oversight on behalf of the American people. It reinforces the rule of law and reminds the administration that oversight is not optional. Real-time, on-the-ground visits to immigration detention facilities help prevent abuses and ensure transparency. Oversight is a core responsibility of Members of Congress—and a constitutional duty we do not take lightly. We’ll continue standing up for the rule of law.”

The lawsuit was filed in the District of Columbia Federal Court by Congressman Crow and other Members of Congress who were also denied access to federal detention facilities, including Representatives Joe Neguse (D-CO-02), Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08), Bennie Thompson (D-MS-02), Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16), Dan Goldman (D-NY-10), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA-34), Norma Torres (D-CA-35), Raul Ruiz (D-CA-36), Robert Garcia (D-CA-42), and Lou Correa (D-CA-46).

Since being elected to Congress, Crow has fought to promote transparency, oversight, and accountability in federal immigration detention centers. He introduced bipartisan legislation guaranteeing Members of Congress the right to conduct unannounced, in-person oversight visits of ICE detention facilities, including to check on any concerns related to public health and the humane treatment of detained individuals.

Congressman Crow regularly conducts oversight of the facility. Since 2019, he’s visited the facility to conduct oversight nine times. Congressman Crow’s staff have also visited the facility over 80 times to conduct oversight. Crow publishes public reports on his website of oversight visits and conditions at the facility.

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