U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar, a Democrat from El Paso, Texas, claimed that federal immigration officials prevented her from fully carrying out her congressional oversight duties during a visit to a controversial Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center. The visit took place at Camp East Montana, a temporary facility located on the Fort Bliss military base in west Texas. Escobar had gone there to investigate after reports of disturbances at the site. She said she was not allowed to speak with any of the detained immigrants and was denied access to surveillance footage of the incidents, which she had requested. Escobar accused the administration of making it more difficult for Congress to conduct oversight, particularly under the second Trump administration. Escobar and other lawmakers had sued the Trump administration last year over its alleged attempts to block access to ICE detention facilities. A federal judge ruled in favor of the lawmakers in December 2022, but reports have since emerged that ICE officials have continued to restrict or turn away members of Congress during oversight visits. Camp East Montana, which opened last summer, is a large, temporary “soft-sided” tent facility capable of holding up to 5,000 people. It has been the subject of complaints since its opening, including allegations of poor conditions, abuse, and mismanagement. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, reported two disturbances at the facility in early September. On September 1, it alleged that detained immigrants physically attacked security staff, and on September 7, a larger group of about 130 people reportedly threw objects, knocked over furniture, and disabled security cameras. ICE officials reportedly called 911 during the incident, contradicting what Escobar was told during her visit. Escobar disputed the idea that a riot had occurred and criticized an ICE official who attributed the incidents to the nationality of the detainees, specifically blaming Venezuelans. The exact nature of the events remains unclear. Lawmakers have the legal right to conduct oversight visits to ICE facilities, including speaking with detainees without prior notice. However, the Trump administration has been accused of limiting these visits by requiring lawmakers to submit the names of detainees beforehand. The Department of Homeland Security denied these claims in an email to the Guardian, stating that it does not prevent members of Congress from meeting with detainees. Since Camp East Montana opened, it has faced numerous allegations of abuse, poor conditions, and violations of human rights. At least three people have died in ICE custody at the site, and an internal ICE inspection found deficiencies in the use of force by guards. A government accountability office report also highlighted problems with the facility's construction and management. Escobar has called for the private contractor running the facility to be held accountable for the recent incidents, rather than blaming the detained immigrants. ICE awarded the contract to Amentum Services, a Maryland-based company, after it previously worked as a subcontractor. Escobar argued that the contractor should bear the costs of the damage caused during the disturbances. Meanwhile, reports have emerged of alleged rights violations at other detention centers, including instances of force feeding. Escobar has long criticized such practices and warned that the expansion of immigration detention under the second Trump administration has allowed unacceptable behavior by the federal government to continue.