Representative Gregory Meeks (D-NY) accused the Trump administration of undermining constitutional checks and balances by preventing members of Congress from accessing ICE facilities without prior notice. Speaking on MSNBC Friday, Meeks said the administration’s actions raise serious concerns about transparency and accountability.
Meeks emphasized that congressional oversight requires unannounced visits to federal detention centers to assess conditions without interference. According to Meeks, advance notice allows authorities to stage-manage inspections, preventing lawmakers from observing real-time conditions. He stated that past administrations, both Democrat and Republican, permitted such visits, and the Trump administration’s resistance signals potential wrongdoing.
“When you are prevented from doing your job and prevented from doing what the Constitution says you should be doing,” Meeks said, “then it makes you feel that there is something going on that should not be going on.”
The congressman’s comments come as the Trump administration continues broad immigration enforcement operations and ramps up deportations of criminal illegal aliens. Federal authorities have faced increased scrutiny from Democrat lawmakers and activist groups critical of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and President Trump’s enforcement priorities.
Meeks further criticized the administration for resisting congressional authority and dismissing court decisions, saying it reflects a broader pattern of disregard for constitutional responsibilities. He argued that this resistance threatens the principle of separation of powers and limits the ability of Congress to perform effective oversight.
President Trump has defended ICE operations as necessary for national security and public safety, pointing to record arrests of criminal illegal aliens. The administration maintains that federal facilities are operating within legal guidelines and accused Democrats of politicizing border enforcement.
