FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — California lawmakers met Monday with Central Valley immigration advocates and community organizations to discuss concerns about immigration enforcement, detention facility conditions and access to legal services following an unannounced visit to an ICE detention facility in Kern County.

The roundtable included at least 20 Central Valley-based community groups. Sen. Alex Padilla said concerns raised during the discussion included conditions at ICE facilities and access to legal assistance and services for detainees.

The meeting brought together Central Valley community organizations, immigration advocates and other state lawmakers. Padilla said participants described how recent immigration enforcement activity has affected local families and communities.

“We have been living a nightmare frankly for almost two years, but in recent weeks there has been a surge in enforcement. The administration has not been shy in claiming that,” Padilla said.

Padilla said community leaders and families affected by enforcement activity said the increase in enforcement has created fear and unrest. He also raised concerns about detainees’ access to legal representation.

“More recently, we’re hearing of increasing concerns about not just lack of access to counsel, but literally lawyers struggling to find their clients in the system,” Padilla said.

The Democratic senator said lawmakers have sought information from the Department of Homeland Security but have not received adequate responses.

“They’ve not been exactly responsive or forthcoming. We sent formal inquiries and letters for data and information but those are rarely responded to,” Padilla said.

Earlier Monday, Padilla and Rep. Jim Costa made an unannounced visit to the Golden State Annex detention facility in McFarland. The lawmakers said they wanted to inspect conditions inside the ICE facility, but after nearly an hour were turned away.

They said they were told employees from the ICE office in Fresno needed to be on site before the visit could proceed.

“It’s against the law. We’re doing our job to conduct oversight, and this administration continues to flaunt the rule of law,” Padilla said.

Back in October, Representative Tom McClintock said detainees ultimately have control over whether they remain in custody.

“Those in the detention facilities are free to leave any time they want for any country that will accept them. They’re simply not allowed to return to our country,” McClintock said.

Looking ahead, Padilla said Congress could revisit immigration policy and related budget issues after the election.

“ICE doesn’t need any more funding. They are more than funded for the next several years. But we do need to invest in the process, due process. Access to counsel for fair outcomes,” Padilla said.

ICE did not immediately provide additional comment on Monday’s visit. The agency previously told Action News it cannot disclose or discuss law enforcement operations and said the Department of Homeland Security enforces the nation’s laws “every day.”

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