Rep. Steven Horsford, a Democratic congressman from Nevada, was recently denied entry to a privately operated immigration detention center in Pahrump, a facility contracted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The lawmaker, attempting to conduct an official oversight inspection, was allegedly informed he posed an unspecified “security risk,” despite his clear constitutional mandate for such visits. This unexpected obstruction has ignited a debate over transparency and access for elected officials seeking to examine federal facilities.
Horsford expressed his dismay at the refusal, stating emphatically that his visit was part of his duty as an elected member of Congress. He highlighted the persistent hurdles placed in his path by facility staff. His office had provided ample notice of his impending inspection to the Nevada Southern Detention Center, making the sudden denial of access particularly perplexing and concerning.
The confrontation escalated when Warden John Mattos reportedly came to the gate and personally denied Horsford entry. Despite the congressman presenting his official identification and pressing for an explanation, Mattos refused to elaborate on the alleged “security risk.” The warden instead resorted to threatening to contact the Nye County Sheriff’s Department, a move that only deepened the lawmaker’s frustration.
Prior to his attempt to visit, Representative Horsford had been contacted by numerous constituents who had previously been held at the Pahrump detention center. Many of these individuals, he noted, were detained and separated from their families, often without any prior criminal background. These accounts underscored the urgency of his oversight visit and his commitment to understanding the conditions within the facility.
This incident in Pahrump is not isolated, occurring just a day after a dozen other members of Congress filed a lawsuit against the federal government. Their complaint alleges a systemic pattern of denying elected representatives access to various immigration facilities across the United States, thereby impeding their constitutional duties of oversight. The lawsuit claims that the “Trump-Vance administration” has stretched the U.S. immigration detention system far beyond its capacity, leading to overcrowded conditions.
In response to previous controversies, including an incident where a Democratic mayor was arrested following a congressional visit to a New Jersey immigration jail, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reiterated its guidelines for visitors. While asserting that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem “respects Congress’ oversight authority,” the agency emphasized that all members and staff must “comply with facility rules, procedures, and instructions” for safety reasons, a statement that some critics view as a pretext for limiting access.
CoreCivic, the private company operating the Nevada Southern Detention Center, issued a statement through its senior director of public affairs, Ryan Gustin. The company asserted its commitment to “complying with all applicable federal detention standards” and highlighted that their facilities are “closely monitored by our government partners at ICE” and subject to regular reviews to ensure appropriate living standards for detainees.
Interestingly, the denial of access to Representative Horsford stands in contrast to a recent tour of the same Pahrump facility by Nevada state lawmakers from the Latino Legislative Caucus. These state representatives were permitted to inspect the center earlier this month and reported having conversations with some of the detainees, underscoring the arbitrary nature of the federal congressman’s denied entry.
Undeterred by the obstruction, Representative Horsford affirmed his resolve to continue his pursuit of transparency and accountability. He vowed to “pursue other measures” and reiterated his intention to return to the facility to conduct the vital oversight inspection, signaling a sustained effort to ensure proper conditions and adherence to standards within these critical detention centers.
