By Kelly Hessedal

SAN DIEGO — Congressmen Scott Peters and Juan Vargas were turned away Monday morning when they attempted to conduct an unannounced inspection of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding facility located in the basement of the federal courthouse downtown, citing disturbing reports about conditions at the site.

The two representatives arrived at approximately 9:30 a.m. to exercise their legal right as U.S. representatives to conduct oversight at immigrant detention sites, but were denied access to the area where detainees are being held.

"We demanded to go and see the basement and [the chief] refused," said Congressman Vargas.

"I haven't seen it myself, but from all of the witnesses that have told me, there is something that is going on down here that stinks, that's wrong, that contrary to the law, and we want to see that for our own eyes," he said.

According to both congressmen, ICE officials told them that the facility is not overcrowded at this time, but would not provide any additional information.

"They wouldn't even answer questions about how many people are there, what the capacity is," said Congressman Peters.

The denial of access represents part of a broader pattern. Lawmakers in other cities, including Los Angeles, have also been denied entry to ICE facilities during unannounced visits.

In June, the Department of Homeland Security and ICE implemented new guidelines requiring 72 hours advance notice for congressional visits to ICE field offices. However, on DHS's website it states "the Department requires requests be made a minimum of seven (7) calendar days in advance to schedule visits to DHS facilities. Any requests to shorten that time must be approved by the DHS Secretary."

Several lawmakers have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, demanding compliance with federal law that grants representatives the right to conduct unannounced inspections.

Pedro Rios of American Friends Service Committee said the lack of transparency is troubling. He said volunteers who monitor immigration proceedings at the courthouse have seen boxes of mats brought into the building.

"We think these mats are being used for people to sleep on," said Rios. "We did hear from some people there weren't enough mats, and they were using parts of the mats for two or three people."

He told CBS 8 though the facility in the basement has been used for ICE detainees before, its only equipped for stays of less than 24 hours. 

"These places are not meant for people to stay beyond a certain number of hours," said Rios. "So someone staying beyond 24 hours already raises questions about violations of basic standards of how people should be detained under the Department of Homeland Security."

"We don't know who's being held there. We don't know if there's children being held there. We don't know if there's families being held there. We don't know any of that," said Congressman Vargas. 

Both congressmen said they plan to return to the federal courthouse building at a later date to attempt gaining access to the facility again.

CBS 8 reached out to DHS Monday morning. Monday evening we received the following statement from Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin:

“Democrats should get back to Washington, do their jobs, and reopen the government.

“Contrary to claims made by these politicians, the facility was NOT overcapacity and was actually empty after all individuals were transferred to a long-term detention center for their safety because of the “No Kings” protest nearby. Following the protest, 29 illegal aliens were returned to the staging facility.

“ICE has worked diligently to obtain greater necessary detention space while avoiding overcrowding. Thanks to President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill and innovative partnerships like Alligator Alcatraz, Cornhusker Clink, Louisiana Lockup, and Speedway Slammer, we’ve significantly expanded detention space to house the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens.”