House Republicans Block Menendez Amendments on Immigration Detention Oversight

Congressman Rob Menendez criticized House Republicans on January 22 for blocking his proposed amendments to H.R. 7147, the fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security. The amendments sought to restrict funding for warehouse-style detention centers and require improved conditions for visitors at immigration detention facilities.

“Instead of working with us to address these issues and to ensure that people are afforded basic dignity, they rejected both of my amendments,” said Menendez. “They showed once again that they will never hold DHS, ICE, or this Administration accountable.”

One amendment would have barred DHS from using funds to construct or operate detention centers in warehouse-type facilities. The second aimed to prohibit funding for centers that do not provide safe, weather-protected accommodations for family members, legal representatives, and other authorized visitors. The proposals were supported by Congressmembers Bonnie Watson Coleman, LaMonica McIver, and Donald Norcross.

Menendez has previously led efforts to ban private immigrant detention centers and has called for the closure of all such facilities in New Jersey. He has conducted unannounced visits to sites including Delaney Hall and the Elizabeth Detention Center.