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H.R. 10111House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Oversight Access Act

Sponsored by Christopher R. DeluzioRep. Christopher R. Deluzio (D-PA)
Introduced August 17, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated August 19, 2026 at 4:51 AM UTC

The Oversight Access Act bars the Secretary of Homeland Security from stopping members of Congress—or their staff—from entering any DHS‑run or DHS‑contracted facility that detains or houses non‑citizens for oversight purposes. It removes any requirement for advance notice and forbids the department from altering conditions to hide what a congressional visitor would see. The bill also requires the DHS Inspector General to report any material violations to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees.

Key Provisions

  • Congressional members and their staff cannot be denied entry to immigration detention facilities for oversight.
  • The Secretary cannot require prior notice of a congressional visit.
  • The department may not make temporary changes to a facility that would affect what a congressional visitor observes.
  • The DHS Inspector General must report within 30 days to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees if the Secretary fails to comply.

Legislative Activity

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3 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability.

Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability Subcommittee

August 18, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

August 17, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Judiciary Committee

August 17, 2026

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.

Border Security and Enforcement Subcommittee

August 18, 2026

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability.

Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability Subcommittee

August 18, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued August 17, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10111

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

August 17, 2026

Mr. Deluzio (for himself, Ms. Dean of Pennsylvania, Ms. Lee of Pennsylvania, Mr. Evans of Pennsylvania, and Ms. Scanlon) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To prohibit the Secretary of Homeland Security from preventing Members of Congress, or employees accompanying a Member, from entering, for the purpose of conducting oversight, any facility operated by or for the Department of Homeland Security used to detain or otherwise house aliens, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Oversight Access Act.

2.

Prohibition on restricting access of Members of Congress to immigration detention facilities

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Homeland Security may not—

(1)

prevent a Member of Congress, or an employee of the United States House of Representatives or the United States Senate accompanying such Member, from entering, for the purpose of conducting oversight, any facility operated by or for the Department of Homeland Security used to detain or otherwise house aliens;

(2)

require prior notice from a Member of Congress or an employee described in paragraph (1) of the intent to enter such a facility for the purpose of conducting oversight; or

(3)

make any temporary modification at any such facility that in any way alters what is observed by a visiting Member of Congress or such employee, compared to what would be observed in the absence of such modification.

(b)

Report

The Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security shall report to the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Senate within 30 days if the Inspector General determines that the Secretary of Homeland Security materially failed to comply with the requirements of this section.