Amo, Auchincloss, Balint Conduct Unannounced Oversight Visit to Burlington ICE Facility

Burlington, MA – TODAY, Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI-01), Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-04), and Congresswoman Becca Balint (D-VT-AL) conducted an unannounced congressional oversight visit of the Burlington Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, where dozens of individuals have been detained. The ICE facility was designed to temporarily detain individuals for no longer than 12 hours, but under President Trump, ICE detainees have been held there for days without proper food, beds, or showers. 

During the visit, the lawmakers asked about access to lawyers, the treatment of people in ICE custody, and whether the facility was complying with federal law.

“ICE and Border Patrol continue to negatively impact our communities and that’s why I conducted my congressional oversight with a visit to the Burlington facility unannounced,” said Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI-01). “During my inspection of the Burlington facility with Congressman Auchincloss and Congresswoman Balint, we witnessed individuals held for processing, questioned ICE regarding our constituents’ concerns, and pressed for more humane treatment of those in custody. I will not stop advocating for safe communities, due process, and humane immigration reform.”

“Today I conducted an unannounced inspection of the Burlington ICE facility. Persistent congressional oversight, in concert with public pressure, has driven modest improvements to detention operations over the past year since my previous inspection in June of 2025. I will continue oversight and accountability measures in pursuit of due process and human dignity,” said Congressman Auchincloss (D-MA-04).

“Vermonters deserve answers about what’s happening to people from our state who are being held in ICE custody,” said Congresswoman Becca Balint (D-VT-AL). “This facility was designed for stays of no more than 12 hours, but people have been held for days without basic necessities. We went in unannounced because we wanted to see the conditions for ourselves and get answers. ICE has a responsibility to treat people humanely and follow the law, and we’re going to hold them to it.”
 

Background

The visit builds on Congressman Amo’s ongoing work to hold federal immigration enforcement accountable and protect the dignity and legal rights of people in ICE custody. Amo has consistently opposed funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE without strict constitutional guardrails and accountability.

Congressman Amo has stood with Rhode Islanders of faith praying for the end of the Trump administration’s cruel treatment of our immigrant neighbors. 

In January, Amoconvened Muslim, Jewish, and Christian faith leaders to strategize about how congregations and elected leaders can work together to protect against Trump’s violent ICE and Border Patrol invasion of our cities.

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