Crow and Neguse sue Trump administration over detention center access

Context: The lawsuit calls on the administration to comply with a federal law guaranteeing access to visit ICE or Department of Homeland Security sites where noncitizens are detained without prior notice, per a statement from Neguse.

• It names the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Immigration and Customs Enforcement acting director Todd Lyons.

Zoom in: Crow was denied entry during a July 20 oversight visit that was purposefully unannounced, the Democrat told us, to ensure an unvarnished look at facility conditions.

Between the lines: The Trump administration in June issued new guidance limiting congressional access to facilities, requiring 72 business hours' notice.

• ICE arrests of people without criminal charges or convictions spiked last month, as the agency ramped up arrests under Trump's directive.

What they're saying: "Blocking Members of Congress from oversight visits to ICE facilities … clearly violates Federal law — and the Trump administration knows it," Neguse said in a statement.

The other side: An ICE spokesperson for the Aurora detention facility wasn't available for comment Wednesday.

• Axios Denver has reached out to DHS for comment.

Context: Crow's visits provide key supervision of the Aurora facility, which has among the highest average daily populations in the U.S.

• The visits often include inspecting housing pods, speaking with detainees and evaluating the medical unit, Crow tells us.