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Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) is raising concerns about reports that attorneys have been prohibited from accompanying their clients dring routine check-ins at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities in Maine.

In a letter to Director of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, Pingress stressed that preventing legal counsel from attending such visits undermines constitutional protections and erodes public confidence in DHS’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

“Blocking access to legal counsel is incompatable with our values as well as DHS’s stated commitments to transparency, accountability and the rule of law,” Pingree wrote.  “If DHS or ICE maintain such a stance, I ask that you provide in writing the policy that allows for legal counsel to be turned away from your facilities.

Further, if this poicy exists, it raises sigificant questions about transparency and the right to representation.  I stringly urge you to repeal ay policy that would deprive individuals of their constitutional rights to due process.

Pingree also formally requested a tour of the ICE field office in Scarborough, citing concerns raised by local town officials who have sought to engage with the facility, but have been denied entry.

“Clear and consistent communications with community leaders, advocacy organizations and local officials fosters greater transparency and ensures that enforcement operations are implemented fairly and humanely,” Pingree wrote in the preas release issued this morning.  “Without these relationships, DHS risks deepeding midstrust and eroding the very public confidene it requies to operate effectively.”

“The Congresswoman reiterated that robust constituent services and agency overight are core congressional responsibilities and said that she will continue to monitor DHS responsiveness.