Lawmakers Attempt to Enter MDC in Brooklyn
Three Democratic federal lawmakers from New York City, Adriano Espaillat, Nidia Velazquez, and Daniel Goldman, recently made an effort to visit the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, as reported by a state legislator.
Images shared on Wednesday by the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) showed the trio approaching the MDC, with the Gowanus Highway visible in the background.
According to the NYIC, the lawmakers were not allowed entry. This incident follows past high-profile arrests at the facility, including those of former Trump attorney Michael Cohen and MSNBC host Al Sharpton in 2001. The MDC has housed notable inmates such as Sean “Diddy” Combs and others.
The NYIC tweeted that “Masked Agents refused [the lawmakers’] monitoring access to Sunset Park [MDC] and now we’ve locked them between the fence and the facility.”
The situation is concerning, with one of Espaillat’s spokespeople commenting that he “closed the gate and ran away for about 20-30 minutes,” creating a blockage for anyone trying to enter or exit during that time.
Fox News Digital has sought comments from Goldman and Velazquez regarding the incident, and inquiries were also made to ICE and the Department of Homeland Security.
This incident marks the third time in recent weeks that lawmakers have sought access to federal facilities but faced challenges. For instance, Rep. Lamonica Mciver from New Jersey was arrested for reportedly confronting federal agents outside a prison in Newark.
In Maryland, several lawmakers, including Rep. Kweisi Mfume and Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, were similarly turned away at an ICE office in Baltimore. ICE stated that the office is merely a processing center, not a detention facility.
In response to the recent events, State Sen. Andrew Gounardes of Brooklyn mentioned that MDC recently began housing more than 100 detainees, many of whom reportedly have no criminal records.
Gounardes stated, “ICE is destroying immigrants, many of whom have no criminal records,” condemning it as a violation of human dignity. He expressed concerns about the efforts to instill fear within immigrant communities.
Goldman, who previously served under Senator Adam Schiff in congressional procedures against former President Donald Trump, criticized the current administration’s strategy, stating that it unjustly burdens immigrants without criminal histories.
ICE’s Congressional Affairs Bureau requires members of Congress to submit visitation requests via email at least seven days in advance. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security noted that this protocol is intended to minimize interference with departmental functions. The spokesperson also highlighted an alarming 830% surge in attacks on ICE personnel, indicating increased tension surrounding enforcement actions.
