Rep. Norma Torres of Pomona is demanding a federal investigation into actions taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during a June 7 oversight visit to the Roybal Federal Building in downtown L.A., alleging unlawful obstruction of access and the use of chemical agents on a peaceful congressional delegation.
In a formal letter sent to ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, the Southern California Democrat said ICE falsely claimed more than 1,000 protesters were present that day – an assertion Torres says was used to justify deploying chemical agents that caused her to seek emergency medical treatment and begin respiratory medication.
According to Torres, the delegation included four members of Congress, along with legal counsel, staff, immigrant rights advocates and members of the media.
Federal law prohibits ICE from denying access to members of Congress and specifically guarantees congressional entry into detention facilities. Torres says ICE’s actions represent “a direct violation of the law and a breach of transparency and accountability.”
“This false characterization appears designed to justify the dangerous and unjustified deployment of chemical agents,” Torres wrote. “These actions have not only endangered lives but have broken the public’s trust and violated the law.”
Torres further criticized ICE for a failure to maintain accurate and timely updates to its Online Detainee Locator System, which she said has left families in the dark and scrambling to locate detained loved ones — sometimes resorting to missing persons reports or hospital visits.
In her letter, Torres demanded a full investigation into the events of June 7, including identification of personnel responsible for the use of force, legal justification for the denial of entry, and a review of detainee communication systems.
The Roybal Federal Building has become a flashpoint during recent immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles, drawing protests and national scrutiny.
ICE has not yet publicly responded to Torres’ letter or accusations.