COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Colorado Congressman Jason Crow, a Democrat from the state’s 6th Congressional District, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The suit alleges that Crow and 11 other members of Congress were unlawfully denied entry into the Aurora ICE Detention Facility and other immigration centers, a move he says is a direct violation of a 2019 federal law.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., claims the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has blocked their attempts to conduct unannounced oversight visits. Crow stated, “This is the first time since the law passed that I’ve been denied unlawfully by an administration.” He emphasized that the legal action is necessary to enforce congressional rights, as “no president…can simply decide not to follow a law.”
Since taking office in 2019, Crow has made oversight of the Aurora facility a key part of his duties, with him and his team conducting over 70 visits. He argues that unannounced visits are essential for effective oversight, as they prevent officials from having time to “clean things up or sweep things under the rug.”
Crow cited ongoing concerns from the community about the Aurora facility, including reports of poor food quality, barriers to legal counsel, and past incidents of disease outbreaks and detainee deaths. He stressed that the lawsuit is not just about protecting congressional rights but also about ensuring due process and transparency for detainees.
The lawsuit is supported by other members of Congress who say their oversight efforts have also been blocked, including Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO), Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), and Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA). The Department of Homeland Security and ICE have not yet responded to requests for comment.
As a former Army Ranger and war veteran, Crow says his commitment to oversight and constitutional protections is unwavering. “I’ve sworn to uphold the Constitution, and I’ll keep fighting to make sure the laws are being followed,” he said.
