U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey says his questions about the conditions at a Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office are going unanswered, even after making a visit there on Monday.
The Fort Worth Democrat has submitted inquiries to ICE over the past several months that haven’t received responses, according to his office. Among them is a July 28 letter about accounts of “inhumane treatment of detainees” at the Dallas field office at 8101 N. Stemmons Freeway. The office falls within Congressional District 33, which he represents.
Veasey said he’s heard “terrible stories” about the conditions, such as people being deprived sleep, food and water or being detained longer than they’re supposed to.
The letter describes reports of people being detained for more than a week without access to running water, air conditioning or a proper place to sleep. In one case, a detainee didn’t get his medicine for days, despite bringing it to the center, according to the letter.
Veasey visited the office on Monday, Oct. 20, seeking answers and hoping to see the center for himself, but told reporters he left without answers or going inside.
“Under the law, under the constitution, they have an obligation to answer our questions and answer our inquiries that we make to them,” Veasey said. “And they’re not doing that right now. They’re being secretive.”
Veasey’s office requested a tour for the congressman and staff in August but didn’t receive a response, according to a spokesperson.
Members of Congress are generally permitted to enter an ICE facility without notice when conducting oversight, according to Department of Homeland Security guidance.
“If what is being asked of me and what is being told of me is wrong, open up the doors and show me, man,” Veasey said. “Open up the doors and show me.”
Spokespersons for ICE or Homeland Security did not immediately return emails seeking comment.
Veasey said a representative from the Dallas field office told him on Monday that inquiries are handled out of a government affairs office in Washington D.C., not the local site.
Veasey’s visit comes nearly a month after a Sept. 24 shooting, when three detainees were shot. One man died at the scene and another died at the hospital.
The gunman – who shot from the roof of a nearby office building – died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to authorities. Investigators said the shooter intended to kill special agents.
Veasey and fellow North Texas congressional Democrats submitted an inquiry about scheduling disruptions following the September shooting.
Veasey submitted another inquiry in late February in response to a Texas Observer article about an ICE prosecutor who reportedly operated a white supremacist social media account.