The federal government shutdown is triggering a new flashpoint over immigration oversight.

Federal authorities at ICE have stopped allowing on-demand access for members of Congress to make unannounced visits to detention facilities.

ICE officials say they don't have the funding or staff to support those visits during the shutdown and that the legal requirement for congressional access expired when government funding ran out.

Instead, the Trump administration argues the operations are being paid for under a separate law that doesn't include a mandate for that access.

Democrats who have used oversight visits to monitor conditions and speak directly with detainees allege the move is an excuse to shut down transparency.

They also have an active lawsuit against the administration for restricting access that began before the shutdown.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson is blaming Democrats for the impasse.

Congresswoman Lamonica McIver today denounced the move as quote, "An attempt to operate in the dark."

McIver of course was charged earlier this year following a tense visit to a Newark detention center.

A federal judge is weighing whether to pause the lawmakers' lawsuit until the shutdown ends.

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