U.S. Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon and Summer Lee were denied entry to the Moshannon Valley Processing Center, an ICE facility in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday. This incident follows the recent death of a detainee, Chaofeng Ge, who was found hanging in the facility earlier this month. The lawmakers waited for approximately an hour before being turned away, raising concerns about the treatment and oversight of detainees at the center.
Both Scanlon, a Democrat representing Delaware County, and Lee, from Pittsburgh, have been vocal about the inhumane conditions reported within ICE facilities across the country. In a statement, Scanlon emphasized the responsibility of federal representatives to monitor the use of taxpayer funds and to ensure that detainees are treated fairly. She noted, “As we continue to hear stories of inhumane conditions within this facility and others across the country… it is our duty… to ensure detainees are not being mistreated.”
The death of Ge, a 32-year-old Chinese national, has heightened scrutiny of the mental health resources and supervision available to those detained. Following the incident, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released a statement asserting its commitment to maintaining safe and humane environments for detainees. The agency claimed it provides comprehensive medical care from the moment individuals arrive and throughout their stay.
In a letter addressed to ICE officials, Scanlon expressed her concerns regarding inadequate medical services and nutrition at the facility. According to her office, the majority of individuals arrested by ICE in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions are processed at this Pennsylvania facility.
The lawmakers’ denied entry reflects a broader pattern of obstruction faced by members of Congress wishing to conduct oversight visits under the current administration. Similar incidents have occurred previously, including a situation in May where several lawmakers were barred from entering Delaney Hall, an ICE facility in Newark, New Jersey. In that case, U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver faced federal charges related to an altercation during an arrest of Newark’s mayor, although those charges were later dropped.
Scanlon and Lee’s visit was particularly timely, occurring just days after Ge’s tragic death. While at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center, Lee was accompanied by Yannick Gill, senior counsel for refugee advocacy at Human Rights First. After waiting over an hour, they were informed they could not enter.
Lee condemned the incident, describing it as “another example of the Trump administration’s executive overreach.” Gill reinforced this sentiment, stating, “Blocking sitting members of Congress from entering a detention facility not only violates the Constitution, but should call the public to question what is happening behind these walls that the administration is trying to hide.”
As discussions around immigration policy and the conditions within detention centers continue, the actions of Scanlon and Lee highlight the challenges lawmakers face in holding the administration accountable. ICE has not provided immediate commentary on the most recent denials of entry, leaving many questions regarding transparency and detainee welfare unanswered.