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Legislators

ICE Detention Center Denies Congressman Access, Defying Federal Law

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, a Democrat from Centennial, has been denied entry to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Aurora, a move that violates federal law. The facility, operated by private prison firm GEO Group, is the only immigration detention center in Colorado. Despite federal law guaranteeing members of Congress the right to enter ICE facilities for the purpose of conducting oversight, Crow's office reported that he was "unlawfully denied access." Crow's oversight visits to the facility have been ongoing since he was sworn in to Congress in 2019, and he has vowed to continue his work, despite the administration's attempts to intimidate him.

Key Takeaways:

  • U.S. Rep. Jason Crow was denied entry to the ICE detention center in Aurora, Colorado, in violation of federal law.
  • The facility, operated by GEO Group, is the only immigration detention center in Colorado and has a total capacity of 1,532 detainees.
  • Federal law prohibits ICE from imposing conditions on members of Congress, requiring prior notice of visits for the purpose of conducting oversight.
  • The Department of Homeland Security has instructed members of Congress to request visits to ICE detention centers a week ahead of time, which does not comply with federal law.
  • Caroline Dias Goncalves, a 19-year-old Utah nursing student, was detained in the facility for 15 days after her arrest by ICE agents in Grand Junction, reported inhumane conditions and dehumanizing treatment.
  • Rep. Crow has conducted regular oversight of the ICE facility in his district since being sworn in to Congress in 2019 and will continue his work despite being denied access.
  • The Trump administration has dramatically expanded the scope of ICE detention and removal operations to achieve its mass deportation targets.

Statistics:

  • The Aurora ICE detention center has a total capacity of 1,532 detainees.
  • Evidence of inhumane conditions and dehumanizing treatment has been reported multiple times, including soggy food and differential treatment of detainees based on language proficiency.
  • The number of detainees held in the facility has increased due to the Trump administration's expanded immigration enforcement policies.
  • At least one Democrat, Rep. LaMonica McIver of New Jersey, has been charged with interfering with federal law enforcement officers during an incident outside an ICE facility.

Sources:

  • [Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline](https://coloradonewsline.com/subscribe)
  • [U.S. Public Law 118-47, enacted by Congress and signed into law in 2024](https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2882/text)
  • [Rep. Jason Crow's office](https://crow.house.gov/transparency/ice-accountability-report)
  • [Department of Homeland Security on Twitter](https://x.com/DHSgov/status/1943799482342109463)
  • [New Jersey Monitor, 2025/06/11](https://newjerseymonitor.com/2025/06/11/n-j-congresswoman-indicted-over-fracas-outside-newark-ice-jail/)

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