1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

I am writing as a Pennsylvania constituent to raise serious concerns about the detention practices of federal immigration agents during recent enforcement operations in Minneapolis. According to public reports, an Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient, William Vermie, was tackled and taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents while observing an enforcement action in his neighborhood. He was reportedly held for approximately eight hours at a federal facility without being allowed to contact an attorney or his family, despite clear constitutional protections for access to counsel. Attorneys familiar with the situation have stated that they were denied timely access to their client, which raises due process concerns. Our Constitution protects the right to legal representation and due process for all people within U.S. jurisdiction, and these protections cannot be suspended simply because federal authorities claim an enforcement priority. If individuals are detained, they must be given a meaningful opportunity to consult with counsel in a timely and confidential manner. Delays or denials in access can violate longstanding Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights and undercut the legitimacy of the justice system. Given this incident and other troubling interactions between federal agents and civilians during enforcement operations, I am asking for concrete congressional oversight. Will you support an independent investigation outside Department of Homeland Security control to determine whether detainees have been denied access to counsel? Will you back subpoenas for relevant communications, directives, and facility policies governing detainee rights? And will you call for public hearings to examine federal detention practices and ensure compliance with constitutional standards? Ensuring that federal agencies uphold constitutional protections — not only in name but in practice — is critical to maintaining the rule of law and public trust. I urge you to take swift and meaningful oversight action on behalf of all Americans.