Jan 10, 2026, 11:20 PM EST
DHS changes policy on congressional visits to immigration facilities after deadly ICE shooting
The Department of Homeland Security has changed a policy that allowed members of Congress to conduct unannounced visits to Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities.
The change, requiring lawmakers to schedule visits at least seven days in advance, came Jan. 8 — the day after an ICE officer fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Good in Minneapolis. Federal authorities say Good tried to ram officers with her vehicle.
Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the move was in response to «escalating riots and political violence» targeting federal buildings used by ICE.
«On January 8, due to escalating riots and political violence targeting buildings and facilities used by ICE, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued a directive mandating that any Congressional visits to ICE detention facilities must be made seven days in advance. This was done in order to ensure the safety of staff, law enforcement, visitors, and detainees alike,» McLaughlin said in a statement.
Last month a federal judge temporarily blocked a similar policy, but it appears DHS believes it can sidestep that ruling.
«A previous court order stated that funding appropriated to DHS by Congress cannot be used to prevent Members of Congress from entering facilities. However, the court also ruled that funding derived from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is exempt from this limitation,» McLaughlin said. «Because all ICE detention facilities are funded through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Secretary Noem issued this guidance to ensure that DHS and ICE comply with existing court orders. Therefore, requests to enter ICE detention facilities by Members of Congress must be made at least seven days in advance.»
Earlier Saturday, Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar and other lawmakers claimed they were barred from entering the Whipple Building in Minneapolis, which houses DHS and other federal agencies.
-ABC News’ Armando Garcia
Jan 10, 2026, 1:39 PM EST
Minnesota Democrats say they were denied access to federal building
Three House members from Minnesota, Ilhan Omar, Angie Craig and Kelly Morrison, claimed they were asked to leave a federal building Saturday morning after they requested an oversight visit.
Omar said she was able to observe 20 people being detained briefly before they were asked to leave the Whipple Building.
Minn. Representatives Kelly Morrison, Ilhan Omar, Angie Craig arrive at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, Jan. 10, 2026.
Adam Gray/AP
«What happened today is a blatant attempt to obstruct members of Congress from doing their oversight duties,» she said.
Jan 10, 2026, 1:18 PM EST
Mayor, police chief say despite arrests, protests peaceful
Minneapolis officials briefed the press on Friday night’s protests against ICE, where a small group of demonstrators caused damage and were arrested.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said 30 people were arrested after a group of protesters broke apart from the main group of over 1,000 demonstrators and allegedly blocked roadways and caused property damage to a hotel.
People protest against ICE after the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 9, 2026.
Octavio Jones/AFP via Getty Images
O’Hara alleged that one of the officers was hit by a piece of ice that was thrown at him, but there were no other officer injuries.
O’Hara and Mayor Jacob Frey stressed that the majority of the protests were peaceful and demonstrators kept things orderly.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey holds a news conference as Police Chief Brian O’Hara listens, on Jan. 10, 2026, in Minneapolis.
Jen Golbeck/AP
«For the vast majority who have ensured we don’t take the bait from the Trump administration, I’m grateful. But if anyone causes property damage or puts others in danger, they will be arrested,» the mayor said. «We are standing up to Donald Trump’s chaos not with our own brand of chaos, but with care and unity.»
Jan 10, 2026, 4:28 AM EST
At least 30 people ‘detained, cited, and released’ during protests
The Minneapolis Police Department said that «at least 30 people were detained, cited, and released» during protests that took place on Friday night.
According to police, beginning around 8:00 p.m., a large crowd of several hundred people gathered near the Canopy Hotel before moving to the Depot Renaissance Hotel.
«Throughout the evening, the crowd moved through the area, at times walking in roadways,» police said.
«At approximately 10:15 p.m., MPD declared an unlawful assembly and issued multiple dispersal orders. Some individuals were detained, cited, and released,» police continued. «The main crowd began to disperse. A smaller group continued moving through downtown. Others remained near the Canopy Hotel, where additional dispersal orders were issued, and more individuals were detained and cited.»
The Minnesota Police Department said that «over the course of the night, individuals threw snow, ice, and rocks at officers, police vehicles, and other vehicles in the roadway.»
At least 30 people were detained, cited, and released over the course of the evening, according to officials.
-ABC News’ Ahmad Hemingway
