Congressman Veasey Responds to ICE’s Lie of Prairieland Detention Facility Oversight Visit

Washington D.C — Today, the office of Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) conducted a congressional oversight visit to the Prairieland Detention Facility in Alvarado, Texas. Prior to the visit, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deceitfully misrepresented the purpose of the congressional visit around one particular individual in ICE custody through a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Congressman Veasey’s office had already submitted a request regarding Bernardo Maceo Sabon and his repatriation at the time of the visit. ICE was already aware of this request before publicly suggesting that the office’s visit was an effort to interfere with the agency’s enforcement actions. 

The primary purpose of today’s visit was to follow up on the case of a Persian refugee and a Christian pastor who fled Iran and was subsequently granted asylum by the United States government. The pastor, who suffers from life-threatening health conditions, remains in ICE custody while her health deteriorates — despite having previously been granted protection by the United States.

Members of Congress and their staff have a responsibility to conduct oversight of federal agencies and facilities, including ensuring that individuals in federal custody have access to appropriate medical care and that federal agencies are carrying out their responsibilities consistent with the law. In return, federal agencies are responsible for facilitating these oversight visits rather than treating them as a public relations battle to be fought out on social media.

Congressman Veasey’s office will continue conducting oversight on behalf of the constituents of Texas’ 33rd Congressional District and seeking accountability and transparency from federal agencies. 

The Congressman’s statement is linked here and copied below:

“Is there anyone in this administration who isn’t remotely incompetent? Your own agency has a request on file from our office to repatriate Sabon — you’d know that if anyone over there checked their inbox before hitting tweet.

“And since you brought up today’s visit: it wasn’t about him. Staff went to Prairieland to follow up on a Christian pastor who fled Iran, was granted asylum by your own government, has serious health conditions requiring immediate medical attention — and is still sitting in your custody. That’s the story you should be answering for.

“This is exactly the problem with border theater. ICE is trying to turn routine congressional oversight into a political spectacle.”