Congress members visit Whipple Federal Building: "I was shocked to see that everyone in here has leg restraints"
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been taking people they detain in Minnesota to the Whipple Federal Building for processing. On Friday, members of Congress were there for an oversight visit.
Democratic U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Pramila Jayapal of Washington state made their way into the building midday, calling congressional oversight their duty.
"I was shocked to see that everyone in here has leg restraints. That is not common practice in holding facilities and detention centers. And apparently, that is the practice when you are picked up to when you are released," Jayapal said.
They did learn some information about detainees despite saying they had to sign paperwork, agreeing they wouldn't interact with them.
"In one of the cells we could see that it said, 'Laos, 15 people' or something like that. 'Mexico, 12 people,'" Omar said.
They said they were told roughly 300 people are detained across the state. About 38 from Whipple were being deported on Friday. They stopped talking when white vans left the area.
"So what you just saw were bands of people who are being taken to deportation flights," Jayapal said.
They say they arrived with many questions, adding some were met with frustration.
"Simple questions like, 'Are you going to change your processes and procedures from what you've learned from how your agents conducted themselves during Metro Surge that was not sustainable?'" Omar said.
Standing with the congresswomen pushing for answers, community leaders and advocates.
"Oversight protects constitutional rights. It protects transparency. It protects human dignity," Francisco Segovia with COPAL MN said.
The Department of Homeland Security provided the following statement to WCCO on Tuesday:
"On July 24, 2026, ICE hosted Reps. Ilhan Omar, Pramila Jayapal, and their staff at the Whipple Federal Building in Fort Snelling, MN. The representatives were able to observe ICE operations involving detainees being prepared for transfer or removal. ICE continues to maintain transparency not only with congressional oversight committees but also with the American people.
"Any member of Congress can still request to speak with any illegal alien in ICE custody. If an illegal alien and a member of Congress agree to meet with one another, ICE will facilitate the meeting. We are not stopping members of congress from meeting with illegal aliens, including many with criminal histories in ICE custody, or touring ICE facilities.
"In Fiscal Year 2025, we supported more congressional facility visits than any year under the Biden-Harris administration. These requests must be part of legitimate congressional oversight activities, and far too often they are just for a media act. Without proper support, such visits threaten the safety of ICE personnel, the detainees, and Members of Congress alike."
