PORTLAND, OR - Today, Congresswomen Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) and U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) conducted an unannounced congressional oversight visit to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility on Macadam Avenue in Portland following troubling reports that attorneys were repeatedly denied access to detained clients.

"No one should be denied access to legal counsel, regardless of their immigration status," Congresswoman Dexter said. "It is a major concern when attorneys are repeatedly prevented from meeting with their clients. ICE is not above the law, and the Trump administration must be held accountable for how people are treated in federal custody. We are demanding answers, transparency and accountability."

Rep. Dexter's office received information from the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition that attorneys were denied access to four clients on 12 separate occasions Tuesday. These reports, coupled with an uptick in ICE enforcement activity in the Portland area, prompted the lawmakers to conduct an oversight visit to demand answers and examine conditions at the facility.

"I just conducted a Congressional oversight visit at the ICE processing facility in Portland with Rep. Dexter and Senator Merkley," Congresswoman Bonamici said. "ICE is not making us safer and this surge is increasing fear in the community. I encourage everyone to make a safety plan and take care of each other. I will not stop advocating for safe communities, due process, and humane immigration reform."

"ICE and Border Patrol agents are terrorizing our friends and neighbors," Senator Merkley said. "Time after time, they are trampling civil rights, denying due process, and utilizing secret police tactics, totally wrong in our democratic republic. I'll keep doing all I can to stop them."

During the visit, the lawmakers asked about access to lawyers, the treatment of people in ICE custody, and whether the facility was complying with federal law. The visit builds on Rep. Dexter's ongoing work to hold federal immigration enforcement accountable and protect the dignity and legal rights of people in ICE custody.

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