Arizona Congressman Greg Stanton is calling out the Trump administration after being blocked from visiting an immigration detention center in Eloy, where a local restaurant owner is being held. Stanton says the denial violates federal law and undermines Congress’s legal authority to conduct unannounced oversight of federal detention facilities.
The Democratic lawmaker, who represents Arizona’s 4th congressional district, had attempted to visit Kelly Yu, a longtime resident and owner of a popular Peoria sushi restaurant. Yu, who has lived in the U.S. for more than 20 years and has no criminal record, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a routine check-in in May.
Stanton says her case illustrates how mass deportation policies are hurting communities. “Kelly Yu is an incredible success story. She provides jobs, supports local organizations, and has never broken the law,” he said. “Deporting someone like her doesn’t make this country safer—it makes it weaker.”
Congressional Oversight Blocked
Upon arriving at the Eloy facility, Stanton was informed by local ICE officials that he could not enter without providing at least seven days’ advance notice—a policy recently implemented by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Stanton brought a copy of federal law to the facility showing that members of Congress are entitled to inspect such sites without notice, but officials refused to make an exception.
“This administration doesn’t get to decide when it follows the law,” Stanton said. “We can’t look the other way. If we let this stand, we’re enabling a dangerous precedent that weakens democratic oversight.”
Broader Pattern of Denials
Stanton isn’t alone. Since President Trump returned to the White House, several Democratic lawmakers have been blocked from visiting ICE detention centers. In one high-profile case, Rep. LaMonica McIver of New Jersey was charged with assault after seeking access under her congressional authority.
On Wednesday, a group of 12 House Democrats filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that the DHS policy requiring prior approval for facility visits is unlawful. The suit demands the administration reinstate unannounced access for elected officials.
Pushing for Reform
Stanton says he intends to pursue legal action to hold the Trump administration accountable for what he calls a “systematic effort to undermine oversight and due process.” He has submitted a formal request to DHS under its new guidelines but has not yet received a response.
In the meantime, he continues to push for attention to Kelly Yu’s case and the broader issues it highlights. “This is about much more than one person,” Stanton said. “It’s about whether or not our government will be held to the rule of law—even by its own elected officials.”
