The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has condemned Senate Democrat Chris Van Hollen and other lawmakers for their attempt to stage a sit-in at an ICE facility in Baltimore, which they claimed was done to attract media attention. The group of lawmakers, including Van Hollen and several Maryland Democratic representatives, was denied entry to the ICE detention center, sparking public backlash from DHS. The agency criticized the lawmakers for trying to ‘squeeze’ out headlines, accusing them of attempting to exploit the situation for political gain.
Van Holl, whose advocacy for a Salvadoran illegal immigrant on trial for human trafficking charges has made him a key figure in the immigration debate, was joined by other Maryland Democrats including Sen. Angela Alsobrooks and members of the state’s House delegation. During their attempt to access the facility, the group was met with resistance from ICE officials, who did not grant them entry. The incident led to a public confrontation, with Mfume, one of the lawmakers, expressing frustration to a federal employee, stating, ‘We expect, quite frankly, that we will be allowed entrance.’
Following their denial, the group organized a press conference outside the facility, with Mfume emphasizing that they had to ‘stand outside, bang on the door, and ultimately sit in front of the door.’ This action drew further attention, with Olszewski, a member of the delegation, posting on his X account to highlight the situation, asserting that ‘Congress has a legal right to inspect ICE facilities,’ and that the denial was ‘alarming amid reports of inhumane conditions.’ The DHS responded with a sharp statement, suggesting that the lawmakers were seeking a ‘photo op’ with ‘violent criminal illegal aliens,’ and that their requests for visits should be made with sufficient notice to prevent interference with executive authority.
The controversy has deepened the existing tensions within and between political parties, as the agency’s stance on immigration enforcement is under scrutiny. The DHS statement also highlighted the challenges faced by the agency, particularly with a surge in assaults and disruptions to enforcement, which the department attributes to political interference. In turn, Van Hollen’s office has dismissed the DHS remarks as misinformation, with Van Hollen himself labeling Secretary Noem as someone who ‘lies almost as much as her boss.’ The situation has added another layer of complexity to the already contentious immigration debate, with both sides claiming to be in the right and the public caught in the middle.