Maryland Democrats Hold Sit-In After Being Refused Entry to Baltimore ICE Facility

Maryland Democrats Stage Sit-In at ICE Facility

A group of Maryland Democrats conducted a sit-in at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Baltimore on Monday after being refused entry to oversee the location.

Among those participating were Chris Van Hollen and Angela, who were seen seated on the floor near the entrance with a sign that read “The Ero Baltimore Office.” They were joined by Glenn Evie, Sarah Elless, Quisi Muhume, and Johnny Orshevsky Jr.

The lawmakers stated their intention to monitor the facility to ensure that detainees are treated humanely and that the agency operates within the bounds of federal law. In a post on X, a platform for social media, Van Hollen emphasized the denial of access and expressed concern about the implications of such actions on the nation’s values.

According to reports, members of Congress have a legal right to access federal facilities under the Consolidated Budget Act of 2024, which does not require prior notice for such visits.

Representative Sarah Elfreth remarked on X that her colleagues were barred from entering the facility despite their legal rights, highlighting the issue of individuals being removed from the streets.

At a press conference, Quisi Muhume noted that while some Democrats had previously gained access to the building, their request for a tour of the ICE detention area was denied. He described how they knocked on the door and eventually sat in front of it after not being allowed inside. Eventually, the facility’s director emerged, stating that instructions had been given to deny access.

Kristi Noem, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, shared images of some detainees at the Baltimore facility on social media, mentioning serious criminal charges against them, such as rape and conspiracy to commit murder. She criticized lawmakers for supposedly protecting individuals with such backgrounds.

In a post, Van Hollen discussed how their demand for access was not met. He pointed out that he had referenced the law to ICE officials, who insisted that tours would not be allowed regardless of prior notice.

The Department of Homeland Security responded to the denied entry, indicating that requests to visit detention facilities should be made in enough time to avoid interference with the President’s authority.

Van Hollen has previously attracted attention for visiting El Salvador, where he met with an individual deported by the Trump administration under accusations of gang affiliations. Initially, access for that meeting was refused, but he later shared a photograph from the encounter while denying involvement in any drinking during the visit.