Dear John,

This week I was finally given access to the Adelanto ICE detention center. My job as a Member of Congress includes performing Congressional Oversight of these detention centers, but earlier this month I was illegally turned away and prevented from doing my job as Congressmember. With more and more raids happening in Los Angeles County everyday, and reports of immigrants with legal status and even US citizens being detained, it was imperative that I was allowed to access this center and perform Congressional oversight.

What I found when I finally gained access was harrowing.

The conditions in Adelanto are unacceptable and the innocent people who have been detained deserve better.

I found people crammed in cells with no change of clothes. I found innocent people with no criminal records being held against their will without due process. And I found families desperate to hear from their loved ones.

Wednesday morning, six people in Pasadena were detained by ICE. During this sweep, ICE agents pointed weapons at innocent bystanders, just for filming what was going on. When I tried to access the LA detention center they were being kept in, I was once again turned away. The law is clear: Any facility holding detained immigrants is subject to inspection by Members of Congress. The American people deserve answers—and the immigrants that I represent in Congress deserve to feel safe.

Too often, legal immigrants—who are following the law—are being rounded up at their workplaces and judicial hearings by ICE, detained, and in many cases, deported. If this can happen to people who are here legally, without due process—then the government can come after anyone.

The Trump Administration's immigration policy is inhumane, immoral, and dangerous.

I won’t give up until we are all free from this authoritarian regime.

Thank you,

Judy