In the article, Rep. Adriano Espaillat and other members of Congress have been met with silence from the Trump administration in response to inquiries about citizens being questioned and detained by immigration agents. Despite multiple letters demanding answers, no responses have been received, indicating a pattern of non-responsiveness to congressional inquiries.
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández and other lawmakers have raised concerns about the administration sidelining Congress’s investigative power, highlighting a broader issue of disregard for congressional authority. This lack of response is viewed as unprecedented, with Norman Ornstein noting a departure from past administrations’ interactions with Congress.
The Trump administration’s denial of bypassing Congress is juxtaposed with examples of citizens caught in immigration operations, raising concerns about errors and aggressive enforcement actions. Despite ICE and Customs and Border Protection asserting the right to request identification, explanations for specific cases remain elusive.
The article also contrasts the Trump administration’s unresponsiveness to previous experiences under the Biden administration, with Republicans similarly facing challenges in obtaining information on immigration policies. The lack of transparency has led to lawmakers resorting to subpoenas for answers.
Overall, the article sheds light on a concerning trend of the Trump administration’s lack of accountability and transparency in addressing congressional inquiries regarding immigration enforcement actions, prompting scrutiny and criticism from lawmakers.