Judge Issues 2nd Order Blocking Ban on Lawmakers’ Surprise Visits to Immigration Detention Facilities

DHS said it created the restrictive policy because some lawmakers had caused disruptions at ICE facilities.

Protesters convene at the Bishop Whipple Federal Building to oppose ICE detentions, in Minneapolis, on Jan. 30, 2026. Octavio Jones/AFP via Getty Images

A federal judge on Feb. 2 issued a second order blocking the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) policy preventing unannounced oversight visits to immigration detention centers by lawmakers.

In the nation’s capital, Judge Jia Cobb ruled DHS may not reinstitute the policy she previously blocked weeks ago by claiming it is now using a different source of funding to carry it out.