Congressman Says He Was Denied Access To Burlington ICE Facility

BURLINGTON, MA — U.S. Rep. John Larson (D-CT) said he was "illegally denied" entry to the ICE facility in Burlington, according to a statement from his office.

Larson, who represents Connecticut's 1st District, said that ICE "continues to falsely claim that the facility is only a field office and not a detention center, despite documented reporting showing detainees held in Burlington for extended time periods under inadequate conditions."

Larson's statement cited reporting from WBUR that found hundreds of people were held for multiple days at the Burlington ICE facility over the summer, even though the facility is not intended for extended detentions. Reports have indicated overcrowding, a lack of beds, and a lack of food.

When Larson arrived at the ICE field office at 1000 District Ave. in Burlington this week, he was turned away by ICE officials, who told him he was not allowed to enter the facility without "permission from (U.S. Secretary for Homeland Security) Kristi Noem or (President) Donald Trump," according to a statement from Justice4All, an organization that's held weekly protests at the site.

“Members of Congress are charged with the duty to carry out oversight – including unannounced visits to ICE facilities and detention centers," Larson said in a statement. "As a courtesy, I let the officials in charge of the Burlington facility know yesterday that I was planning to visit. They not only denied me entry but also refused to acknowledge that their office has become a detention facility, despite documented reporting of detainees sleeping on concrete floors with no access to showers."

In December, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Salem) conducted an oversight tour of the facility, spending 90 minutes at the site asking questions about how detainees' basic needs are being met, such as adequate food, blankets, and access to attorneys.

Related: 'Inadequate And Inhumane': Moulton Tours Burlington ICE Facility