Lawmakers denied entry to Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn
The group says this visit was part of their congressional oversight duties—but once they arrived, they were stopped at the front entrance and never allowed in.
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A dramatic standoff unfolded outside Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center Wednesday morning when three New York lawmakers were denied entry during an unannounced visit.
Reps. Nydia Velázquez, Adriano Espaillat and Dan Goldman said they came to the federal facility to see conditions inside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention unit for themselves. They say more than 100 migrants are currently being held there and wanted to check on reports of “deplorable” conditions.
The group says this visit was part of their congressional oversight duties—but once they arrived, they were stopped at the front entrance and never allowed in.
“We have the right under Section 527 to go here and supervise the facility to have oversight duties without any previous notice,” Espaillat said outside the gates.
Lawmakers say this isn’t the first time they’ve been blocked from an ICE facility. Some members of Congress are now suing the agency, claiming that denying them access violates federal law.
Goldman called the situation alarming. “This is the stuff of authoritarian fascist government where they hide people based on fictional reasons and prevent any oversight and accountability,” he said.
The lawmakers say they plan to keep pushing for full access.
News 12 has reached out to the Federal Bureau of Prisons for comment and will update this story when we hear back.
