Press ICE to follow federal law and the Constitution by allowing people in detention access to legal counsel.

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) are calling on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to follow federal law and the Constitution by allowing people in detention to have access to legal counsel.

Smith joined Klobuchar in calling on ICE to provide detained people access to legal counsel.

Press Releases - Senator Tina Smith
primary · press_release · model gpt-5.5

The Guardian reported that Klobuchar posted a letter to ICE's acting director from Klobuchar and Tina Smith arguing ICE was violating the Constitution by denying detainees access to legal counsel; Klobuchar wrote, "ICE must comply with the law and allow access to attorneys. This is not optional."

This directly shows Smith joined a concrete oversight letter pressing ICE to follow federal law and the Constitution on detainee access to counsel. No newer Smith-specific action was found in the June 9-July 8, 2026 lookback window.

delivered same_term A for effort

The Guardian: Senator Amy Klobuchar files paperwork suggesting run for Minnesota governor, as Walz bows out
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 86%

The case summary says AHR sued for detainees at the Whipple Federal Building, alleging since at least January 11, 2026 the government had not provided constitutionally adequate or statutorily compliant access to counsel, including barriers to attorney visits and private calls.

The underlying facts Smith pressed on were live and concrete in Minnesota: alleged ICE/DHS denial of attorney access at a detention facility. The docket was still marked ongoing as of the June 15, 2026 update.

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Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse: Advocates for Human Rights v. Noem
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 88%

The Clearinghouse summarizes that the court granted a February 12 TRO and later a preliminary injunction after finding defendants violated noncitizens' Fifth Amendment due process right to meaningful access to counsel; relief included written materials and free phone access within one hour, locator updates, a 72-hour hold on out-of-state transfers, and legal visits seven days per week.

A federal court partially forced the access-to-counsel safeguards Smith demanded, but the relief was facility-specific and came through litigation rather than ICE voluntarily resolving the problem nationwide.

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Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse: Advocates for Human Rights v. Noem
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 90%

AP reported Judge Nancy Brasel issued a preliminary injunction requiring ICE to ensure Whipple detainees can quickly reach attorneys and communicate privately, with no out-of-state transfer during the first 72 hours.

This independently confirms partial practical delivery of counsel-access protections at the Minnesota ICE holding facility, while also showing that the need for court compulsion remained.

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AP: Federal judge extends order requiring access to lawyers for Minnesota immigration detainees
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 86%

AP reported the February emergency order found detainees faced major logistical barriers to counsel and required immediate attorney access after custody and before transfer out of state.

This shows ICE/DHS had not been complying before the court order, supporting that Smith's pressure addressed a real blocked-rights problem rather than a merely theoretical concern.

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AP: A judge orders DHS to give Minnesota detainees swift access to lawyers before transfers
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 84%