Press Releases

LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) and Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) conducted a congressional oversight visit of the federal immigration detention facility inside the Roybal Federal Building in Downtown Los Angeles. The visit followed reports that families and children may be held in an area of the facility known as B-17, which has not previously been part of congressional oversight inspections. Reps. Gomez and Torres conducted a full review of the space.

“I went to the Downtown LA detention facility today to conduct lawful oversight after Kristi Noem tried to block Members of Congress from doing our job,” said Rep. Gomez. “When families are being detained, Members of Congress cannot be locked out. That’s why I’ll keep showing up to demand transparency and accountability, and to stop the Trump administration from hiding conditions inside these facilities.”

During the visit, Reps. Gomez and Torres inspected the previously unknown holding area, B-17, which was roughly the size of an office waiting room. No families or children were present at the time of the inspection, though facility staff told Members that a family had been moved out of B-17 the day before. The area contained no beds, blankets, or cribs, even though the Members observed signage suggesting prior use by families, including a posted notice reading, “Please ensure your children are under your care at all times.”

Ahead of the inspection, advocates informed Rep. Gomez’s office that a woman who was eight months pregnant had been taken into custody by immigration enforcement. Rep. Gomez arrived carrying a backpack containing the woman’s sweater and prenatal medication in hopes of delivering them to her, but facility officials told Members of Congress that she was not inside the building. Rep. Gomez's office is actively working to learn more about her status and whereabouts.

The visit follows a recent federal court ruling blocking the Department of Homeland Security from enforcing a policy requiring Members of Congress to provide seven days advance notice before visiting immigration detention facilities. Rep. Gomez is a plaintiff in the lawsuit challenging that policy and has previously been denied access to this facility while attempting to carry out congressional oversight.

Rep. Gomez’s office will continue pressing DHS for answers about how B-17 is being used, the conditions inside the space, and whether families, children, or pregnant individuals are being held there.