Applaud the Judge Defending Oversight and Accountability

A federal judge has delivered a critical win for democracy, transparency, and the rule of law. U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb ruled that the Trump administration cannot block members of Congress from making unannounced visits to ICE detention facilities — rejecting DHS policies that tried to place these sites “off-limits” to congressional oversight.

Judge Cobb made clear that federal law protects lawmakers’ right to enter detention facilities without advance notice, especially when oversight is needed to investigate reports of overcrowding, poor sanitation, and inadequate care. Her ruling reaffirms that no administration can hide government actions from public scrutiny or evade accountability by shutting the doors on oversight.

This decision strengthens checks and balances, protects the rights of detained individuals, and ensures transparency in a system with enormous power over people’s lives. Add your name to applaud Judge Cobb for upholding the law, defending congressional oversight, and standing up for accountability and human dignity.