Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) said he was denied entry to the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego last Friday after attempting to conduct congressional oversight of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility.
Speaking to reporters after he was denied entry, Padilla described his attempt to gain access to the facility. He said he introduced himself shortly after 3:00 p.m. and requested to meet with the warden. After waiting about 30 minutes, an assistant warden briefly engaged before ICE agents informed him that he would not be permitted to visit, tour, or even receive a basic briefing on the facility’s operations.
Padilla characterized the refusal as “beyond disappointing” and questioned what the administration might be trying to conceal. He referenced recent public assurances from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that detainees are being treated well and argued that, if conditions are satisfactory, there should be no reason to block oversight.
Facility officials, according to Padilla, suggested he failed to provide seven days’ advance notice. The senator dismissed that rationale, stating that federal law grants members of Congress the right to conduct oversight visits at any time and that court rulings have affirmed no advance notice is required. He said staff repeatedly cited “direction from headquarters” without offering further explanation.
Padilla: ‘We’re Going To Keep Fighting For Accountability’
Padilla vowed to continue pursuing both scheduled and unscheduled visits, framing the dispute as a matter of accountability. He pointed to what he described as an alarming number of deaths in ICE custody this year—seven so far within just a six-week span—and warned that the current pace could exceed last year’s total, which he pointed out was the deadliest on record.
Padilla also challenged the administration’s characterization of detainees as predominantly violent or dangerous, citing Department of Homeland Security data indicating that most individuals in custody do not have serious criminal histories. That, he argued, makes transparency about detention conditions all the more essential.
The senator raised additional concerns about medical incidents at the facility, noting that two ambulances arrived moments prior to his briefing with reporters. He said lawmakers are seeking basic assurances about clean water, adequate food, medical care, and access to legal counsel.
Padilla closed by reiterating that oversight is a core congressional responsibility and that he intends to press for answers. “The people deserve better,” he stated. “The country deserves answers.”
