Horsford Conducts Second Oversight Visit at Pahrump ICE Detention Facility

PAHRUMP, NV - Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) today conducted an oversight visit of the Nevada Southern Detention Center (NSDC), a privately operated facility run by CoreCivic under contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Pahrump, Nevada, to assess its conditions, facility expansion and compliance with federal law. 

“With the passage of the One Big Ugly Law, Congressional Republicans approved a $75 billion slush fund for ICE with no oversight, accountability, or transparency guardrails attached,” said Rep. Horsford. “At a time when families are struggling with rising housing costs, health care bills, and the everyday cost of raising a child, Republicans chose to pour billions into expanding detention instead of investing in working families.”

During the visit, Congressman Horsford reviewed facility operations, observed detention conditions and available services, and questioned officials about recent reports concerning the facility’s expansion and compliance with deferral legal standards. This visit marks Congressman Horsford’s second inspection of the NSDC; he first toured the facility in August 2025, after being denied entry the previous month.

Following that denial, Congressman Horsford formally requested an investigation by the Chair and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security. The unlawfulness of his first denial was underscored via the ongoing lawsuit filed by Congressman Joe Neguse (CO-02) against the Department of Homeland Security which reinforces that Members of Congress have a clear legal authority to conduct oversight inspections of federal detention facilities and cannot be lawfully denied access.

“I returned to NSDC to send a clear message: federal agencies do not operate above the law,” Rep. Horsford continued. “Congress has a constitutional responsibility to conduct oversight, especially when tens of billions of taxpayer dollars are at stake. Detention does not erase people’s rights, and federal authority does not excuse abuse, secrecy, or misconduct.” 

Congressman Horsford continued to emphasize that ICE enforcement actions must include meaningful guardrails that protect communities rather than spread fear and anguish among the American people.

“Protecting safe zones like schools, childcare centers, hospitals, and places of worship must be a top priority.” Rep. Horsford explained. “Parents should not be terrified to drop off their children, families should not fear seeking medical care, and no one should be afraid to worship safely. Enforcement without guardrails makes our communities less safe, not more.”

Congressman Horsford has also cosponsored legislation aimed at strengthening oversight, increasing transparency, and protecting the rights and dignity of individuals in immigration custody, including:

• H.R. 5653, Trust Through Transparency Act – This bill requires immigration enforcement officers to use body-worn cameras during public-facing enforcement actions.
• H.R. 6890, Protecting the Rights Of Towns against federal Enforcement contrary to Constitutional Tenets for Immigration (PROTECT Immigration) Act – This bill ends the Section 287(g) program, which authorizes state and local law enforcement agencies to carry out federal immigration enforcement functions in partnership with ICE.
• H.R. 5941, Restoring Access for Detainees Act – This bill ensures detained noncitizens have timely and confidential access to legal counsel, family members, and applicable oversight entities while in DHS custody.
• H.R. 4667, Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement (VISIBLE) Act – This bill requires federal immigration enforcement officers to display visible identification, such as a name or badge number, during public-facing operations.
• H.R. 3473, Humane Accountability Act – This bill strengthens congressional oversight of immigration enforcement by requiring DHS to report detailed data on migrant encounters, detentions, and removals. 

In addition to the oversight visit, Congressman Horsford met with a family from Nevada’s Fourth District who was directly impacted by unlawful immigration enforcement actions carried out during the Trump Administration.

To watch the Congressman’s previous attempt to conduct a congressional oversight visit, during which he was denied access, click here.

To watch the Congressman’s remarks following his oversight visit by clicking here.

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