U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb ruled on Monday that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cannot prevent members of Congress from making unannounced visits to ICE detention facilities, blocking a policy implemented in January by Secretary Kristi Noem. The judge found that Noem's policy, which required a week's notice for lawmaker visits, was funded using appropriations that Congress specifically designated to prevent such impediments. Despite DHS's claims of relying on alternative funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Cobb asserted that Congress's power of the purse dictates the permissible use of funds. This marks the third time Cobb has ruled against Noem's efforts to restrict lawmaker access, with the latest ruling restoring full, unfettered access for all members of Congress to ICE facilities, a move hailed by advocates for transparency and oversight.