The episode illustrates the obstacles some Democratic lawmakers have experienced trying to observe conditions in ICE detention centers, and what they say are restrictive rules that interfere with Congressional oversight.

Rep. Raul Ruiz, a Palm Desert Democrat, planned to learn if detainees had legal representation and had seen an immigration judge, and whether they had access to healthcare, hygiene and nutrition.

“I had a questionnaire that was prepared with staff and the ACLU and other organizations that asked if they, for example, were allowed a lawyer, phone calls, if they were able to communicate with their loved ones, if they were read their rights,” Ruiz said.

On Monday, July 7, he submitted a request to ICE to tour the facility last Friday with Rep. Norma Torres, an Ontario Democrat. An Instagram post by the two lawmakers showed an earlier message from Torres’ office on July 3, also asking to schedule a visit.

Both requests complied with ICE requirements for 72 hours notice, Ruiz said. But those were courtesy gestures, he said, since federal law doesn’t require advance notice for Congressional oversight visits. When Ruiz and Torres arrived, ICE turned them away.

“They turn around and tell me it’s now seven days notice,” he said. “They keep moving the goal post. We showed up in the hopes that Congressmember Norma Torres and I could enter the facility and speak with an ICE agent and do our jobs. As soon as they saw us they shut the gate and locked it with a chain and a deadbolt.”

The two lawmakers posted a video outside the locked gate, demanding to enter and calling for the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

The same day, Ruiz said, Rep. Jay Obernolte, a Hesperia Republican, also scheduled a visit and was allowed inside.

A statement from ICE said Obernolte had provided seven days notice for touring the detention facility, but Ruiz and Torres had not.

“Congressman Raul Ruiz and Congresswoman Norma Torres showed up to Rep. Obernolte’s approved visit; ignoring the established DHS directive regarding visiting ICE facilities,” the agency stated. “They were advised that ICE would be more than happy to accommodate their visit—provided it was scheduled in accordance with DHS policy.”

In a message on X after the visit Friday, Obernolte said he was satisfied with the conditions he observed. He toured the dormitories, cafeteria and recreation facilities, observed the meals and confirmed that detainees had access to legal counsel.

“It’s clear to me that this facility is doing its job: ensuring that detainees are treated humanely – with access to medical care, legal representation, and timely hearings – while helping ICE carry out its mission to enforce our immigration laws,” Obernolte wrote.

An earlier group of Southern California lawmakers who visited the facility in June reported problems with the facility. They found detainees were held “without enough food, clean clothing, the ability to call their families or access to a lawyer,” according to Rep. Judy Chu, a Pasadena Democrat.

Ruiz said the 72 hour notice requirement – and even more so the seven day notice period – makes it hard to tell if the facility is consistently maintaining humane conditions, or has spruced them up in advance of a Congressional visit.

He’ll try to schedule a visit again with at least seven days notice. If he still can’t get access, he’ll consider legal action to challenge the restrictions. The effort to access immigration detention facilities is about due process and also the workings of democracy, Ruiz said.

“When you have an executive branch who’s purposely denying a member of the legislative branch to provide oversight of the executive branch, then you’re starting to go down a very dangerous slippery slope that is contrary to the Constitution and ideas of the founding fathers and three co-equal branches of government,” Ruiz said. “They precisely did not want a single figure to act like a king.”

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The episode illustrates the obstacles some Democratic lawmakers have experienced trying to observe conditions in ICE detention centers, and what they say are restrictive rules that interfere with Congressional oversight.

Rep. Raul Ruiz, a Palm Desert Democrat, planned to learn if detainees had legal representation and had seen an immigration judge, and whether they had access to healthcare, hygiene and nutrition.

“I had a questionnaire that was prepared with staff and the ACLU and other organizations that asked if they, for example, were allowed a lawyer, phone calls, if they were able to communicate with their loved ones, if they were read their rights,” Ruiz said.

On Monday, July 7, he submitted a request to ICE to tour the facility last Friday with Rep. Norma Torres, an Ontario Democrat. An Instagram post by the two lawmakers showed an earlier message from Torres’ office on July 3, also asking to schedule a visit.

Both requests complied with ICE requirements for 72 hours notice, Ruiz said. But those were courtesy gestures, he said, since federal law doesn’t require advance notice for Congressional oversight visits. When Ruiz and Torres arrived, ICE turned them away.

“They turn around and tell me it’s now seven days notice,” he said. “They keep moving the goal post. We showed up in the hopes that Congressmember Norma Torres and I could enter the facility and speak with an ICE agent and do our jobs. As soon as they saw us they shut the gate and locked it with a chain and a deadbolt.”

The two lawmakers posted a video outside the locked gate, demanding to enter and calling for the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

The same day, Ruiz said, Rep. Jay Obernolte, a Hesperia Republican, also scheduled a visit and was allowed inside.

A statement from ICE said Obernolte had provided seven days notice for touring the detention facility, but Ruiz and Torres had not.

“Congressman Raul Ruiz and Congresswoman Norma Torres showed up to Rep. Obernolte’s approved visit; ignoring the established DHS directive regarding visiting ICE facilities,” the agency stated. “They were advised that ICE would be more than happy to accommodate their visit—provided it was scheduled in accordance with DHS policy.”

In a message on X after the visit Friday, Obernolte said he was satisfied with the conditions he observed. He toured the dormitories, cafeteria and recreation facilities, observed the meals and confirmed that detainees had access to legal counsel.

“It’s clear to me that this facility is doing its job: ensuring that detainees are treated humanely – with access to medical care, legal representation, and timely hearings – while helping ICE carry out its mission to enforce our immigration laws,” Obernolte wrote.

An earlier group of Southern California lawmakers who visited the facility in June reported problems with the facility. They found detainees were held “without enough food, clean clothing, the ability to call their families or access to a lawyer,” according to Rep. Judy Chu, a Pasadena Democrat.

Ruiz said the 72 hour notice requirement – and even more so the seven day notice period – makes it hard to tell if the facility is consistently maintaining humane conditions, or has spruced them up in advance of a Congressional visit.

He’ll try to schedule a visit again with at least seven days notice. If he still can’t get access, he’ll consider legal action to challenge the restrictions. The effort to access immigration detention facilities is about due process and also the workings of democracy, Ruiz said.

“When you have an executive branch who’s purposely denying a member of the legislative branch to provide oversight of the executive branch, then you’re starting to go down a very dangerous slippery slope that is contrary to the Constitution and ideas of the founding fathers and three co-equal branches of government,” Ruiz said. “They precisely did not want a single figure to act like a king.”

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Congressman Raul Ruiz represents District 25 which encompasses all of Imperial County and parts of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, including the cities of Hemet and San Jacinto. Winning artists from his district were announced at an event on April 15 at Sunnylands Center & Gardens in Rancho Mirage and three from the San Jacinto Valley did very well.

“I’ve proudly taken part in the Congressional Art Competition every year since coming to Congress (in 2012),” Ruiz said. “It’s a meaningful way to celebrate the creativity and talent of young people in our district.”

Cassandra De La Rosa was chosen as the overall winner of this year’s contest, among the 60 entrants. The San Jacinto High School sophomore entered last year and earned second place in the freshman category. “Although I didn’t win first place then, I was motivated to try again and now I’m living my ninth-grade self’s dream,” she said.

Her piece, titled, “Are You Lost in The Motion?” was produced using a combination of colored pencils and chalk pastels to create an asymmetrical face that suggests movement. “This motion expresses the feeling of being swept away by the changes in life, representing the chaos of life and how overwhelming it can be. I aimed to evoke emotion in the viewer, making them not just see the motion but feel it as well,” Cassandra said. “I want my artwork to encourage viewers to reflect on their own feelings of being lost or overwhelmed, inviting empathy as people may recognize their own struggles within the piece. The lack of symmetry symbolizes life’s unpredictability. Just as life is rarely perfectly balanced, my piece is a visual metaphor for the complexities and challenges we face.”

SJHS art teacher Nadia Talamantez said she has had the pleasure of working with Cassandra over the past two years. “She is currently in my Draw/Paint II class, where she continues to grow both technically and creatively,” Talamantez said. “Cassandra is a focused and thoughtful artist. Her work shows a level of emotion, depth, and craftsmanship that is rare to see in a student her age. I was incredibly proud to see her earn first place in the Congressional Art Competition. This recognition is a reflection of her hard work, talent, and the genuine passion she brings to her art.”

Cassandra said her teacher is amazing and incredibly supportive. “She inspires us to explore our creativity and express ourselves through our art. Her guidance and encouragement have been crucial in helping me develop my skills,” she said.

The young artist has entered numerous art contests since middle school and has won several awards. “My favorite part of creating art is seeing the finished product and how it all comes together. I love witnessing people’s reactions and hearing their opinions. It is satisfying to know that my work can impact others, allowing me to communicate ideas without words,” Cassandra said. “My favorite genre is surrealism, both to view and to create. I love the freedom that surrealism provides to blend reality with fantasy, allowing my imagination to run wild. It helps me express complex emotions and thoughts that are difficult to put into words.”

Sofia Sy, a senior at Hemet’s Western Center Academy, received an Honorable Mention in her grade division for her acrylic piece titled “Our Modern-Day Superheroes.” She made the painting specifically for the contest, inspired by one of the themes for this year’s competition, which was Hometown Heroes of CA25.

“My art piece celebrates our nation’s modern-day superheroes – those who are our healthcare professionals, police officers, and firefighters – who serve as the backbone and protectors of society,” she said. “This is the first art competition I have ever participated in, and I am beyond grateful to my teachers and friends who approached and encouraged me to take part in it. I’ve never participated in any other art competition since I primarily compete in music and singing competitions, but art and painting have always been another passion and hobby of mine.”

Sofia said her creative outlets have always served as a way for her to express herself and how she feels. “I view art as a creative outlet for me to express my emotions, thoughts, and even experiences in a way that transcends what words can convey,” she said. “I enjoy all art, because all artworks and pieces have their message and story that an artist is trying to tell – and all deserve to be heard and appreciated.”

After high school, Sofia plans to pursue a career in the medical field, where she hopes to become a healthcare physician, dedicating her time and efforts to serving her community and helping those in need.

Tenzing Carvalho, a junior at Western Center Academy, placed second overall for his submission titled, “The Gaze: Portrait of a Hispanic American Boy.”

Cassandra said attending the event was an amazing experience. “My favorite moment was discovering I won first place. I was completely surprised when everyone congratulated me, and seeing my drawing with the first-place tag was surreal,” she said.

Sofia said one of the main highlights of attending the event was the ability to share her artistic insights and the story behind her artwork with Congressman Ruiz, as well as being recognized and awarded for her work.

“This year’s entries were inspiring, and I congratulate all the students who participated, especially our winners,” Ruiz said. “Your art brings our communities to life and reminds us of the power of self-expression. I can’t wait to see your art displayed in the halls of Congress.”

The winning artwork will hang in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol for one year. The tunnel is the most highly traveled access point between the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Capitol. Every day, members of Congress, distinguished visitors, and tens of thousands of tourists – from the United States and abroad – walk through the tunnel and admire the artwork.

Ariana Orne contributed to this article.

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Trump is slated to deliver remarks at 5 p.m. Oct. 12. The event takes place at Calhoun Ranch, 52995 Calhoun Street, Coachella.

During the rally, the former president is expected to paint a bleak picture for Golden State residents about their state, according to the narrative of an Oct. 7 news release from the Trump campaign.

Doors for the upcoming event open at 1 p.m., according to the campaign. General admission tickets are available here.

While Trump supporters will welcome the visit, some Coachella Valley leaders are not.

Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez released a statement Monday afternoon unfavorably comparing Trump’s planned rally to a 2020 primary campaign event held by Sen. Bernie Sanders, whom he said the city was “proud to welcome.”

“Trump’s attacks on immigrants, women, the LQBTQ community and the most vulnerable among us don’t align with the values of our community,” Hernandez said. “He has consistently expressed disdain for the type of diversity that helps define Coachella. We don’t know why Trump is visiting near Coachella, but we know he wasn’t invited by the people who live here. He ain’t like us.”

Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz announced his strong opposition to Trump’s planned visit.

“It’s truly appalling — and yet another demonstration of his cluelessness and ignorance — that Donald Trump would stage a rally in Coachella,” Ruiz said.

“Under a second Trump administration, there is literally no place in America that would be harmed more than the Coachella Valley,” Ruiz continued. “His proposed tariffs would cause another trade war, costing farmers and farmworkers hundreds of millions of dollars in exports and jeopardizing thousands of jobs. His hate-driven immigration policy would decimate the local workforce in agriculture, construction, and hospitality, severely harming families and businesses alike – including some of the businesses that support him. His ignorant opposition to clean energy would destroy local wind and solar businesses, as well as the emerging industries developing in the Salton Sea. And his repeated attempts to dismantle Obamacare would take away health care from thousands of local residents. Donald Trump — and his policies — are an affront to everything that makes the Coachella Valley a vibrant community.”

Coachella City Councilman Frank Figueroa, who Congressman Ruiz endorsed for mayor, echoed the Congressman’s remarks.

“I’m disappointed that Trump is bringing his brand of divisiveness to Coachella. Trump is a threat to our shared values, his policies would decimate Coachella and surrounding communities, and he is an affront to the diversity we have cultivated here. Hate has no home in Coachella,” Figueroa said.

Indio City Councilman Waymond Fermon agreed.

“It’s hard to imagine a politician who represents our communities and our values worse than Donald Trump. He is a threat to our needs and to democracy itself. I certainly will not be attending this rally, and I would discourage everyone else from attending as well,” Fermon said.

Trump was last in Southern California in mid-September, attending a fundraiser in Beverly Hills and holding a news conference at his golf resort in Rancho Palos Verdes. He was also in the area in June, again attending private fundraisers in Beverly Hills and Newport Beach.

Prior to that, he had not been in Southern California since Sept. 29-30, 2023, when he spoke at the California Republican Party Fall Convention in Anaheim and attended a fundraiser in Costa Mesa.

Trump’s son Eric headlined a May fundraiser in Temecula for the conservative Inland Empire Family PAC. Read more here.

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On July 2nd, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2 the Moving Forward Act – an infrastructure package focused on creating millions of American jobs, combatting the climate crisis, and addressing disparities throughout America. Included in H.R. 2 were several of Congressman Raul Ruiz’s legislative priorities, including an investigation into heat related illness in school buses without air conditioning, the Tribal Internet Expansion Act, and a bill to improve the Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center.

“Our local economy needs bold action to create jobs, rebuild schools, roads, and bridges, and invest in a clean energy future for our children and grandchildren,” said Dr. Ruiz. “H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act, contains robust improvements to our nation’s infrastructure, and I am proud it includes my provisions to strengthen school bus safety in extreme heat, increase access to our local Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center, take land into trust for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, and expand broadband access in Indian Country. This infrastructure package will improve the health and wellbeing of families, businesses, and our environment. We must repair our roads and bridges, fortify our school buildings, and upgrade and invest in clean water infrastructure.”

Background

H.R. 2 included four of Dr. Ruiz’s Priorities

• H.R. 4495 – a bill to authorize the Indian Health Service to construct an access road to the Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center, the only IHS Youth Treatment Center in California.

• H.R. 4059 – a bill to take land into trust of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.

• H.R. 4449 – the Tribal Internet Expansion Act, which would add tribal lands to the list of priority areas for the FCC’s Universal Service Fund

• A requirement for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to study the safety effects of equipping school buses with air conditioning.

H.R. 2, will bring benefits to California’s 36th District by investing in clean and renewable energy, reducing carbon pollution, and improving drinking water:

• Carbon Pollution Reduction Grant Program to reduce greenhouse gasses in transportation corridors

• Electric Vehicle Charging Stations to reduce range-anxiety and promote the proliferation of electric vehicles.

• Zero Emission Bus Grants which will expand the fleet of buses that run on clean energy like hydrogen.

• Community Water Systems Investment which will invest and improve water systems in disadvantaged communities and help communities like the Oasis Mobile Home Park.

• Low Income Solar Investment which will provide funding for community solar and residential solar in low-income neighborhoods.

H.R. 2 will help rebuild America’s infrastructure while creating millions of good-paying jobs, combatting the climate crisis, and addressing disparities throughout America.

• Rebuilds our highways, bridges, transit, rail, airports, ports and harbors by investing nearly $500 billion to improve safety, reduce gridlock, and put the U.S. on a path toward zero emissions from the transportation sector, all while protecting American jobs with strong Buy America provisions and labor protections.

• Invests in our children’s futures by helping safely reopen and rebuild schools with a $130 billion investment in school infrastructure targeted at high-poverty schools that do not meet health and safety standards, while also creating 2 million jobs. Democrats are also investing billions in upgrading childcare facilities to ensure compliance with current and future public health directives.

• Modernizes our energy infrastructure for a clean energy future by investing more than $70 billion to transform our electric grid, promote new renewable energy infrastructure and strengthen existing infrastructure, help develop an electric vehicle charging network, and support energy efficiency and climate resilience.

• Invests boldly in affordable housing by directing over $100 billion to reduce housing inequality, create jobs, stimulate the economy, improve living conditions and increase environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

• Expands affordable high-speed Internet to underserved communities with a $100 billion investment that promotes competition, connects children to remote learning, closes broadband adoption and digital skills gaps, and improves affordability.

• Upgrades hospitals and health care infrastructure by investing $30 billion to increase capacity and strengthen care, help community health centers respond to COVID-19 and future public health emergencies, improve clinical laboratory infrastructure, support the Indian Health Service’s infrastructure, and increase capacity for community-based care.

• Ensures all communities have clean water by investing tens of billions to remove dangerous contaminants from our drinking water and invests in new, safe wastewater infrastructure.

-Hernan Quintas

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Dr. Ruiz Advocates for Constituents Who Haven’t Received Their Stimulus Checks

Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) is calling on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to provide updates on the status of Economic Impact Payments (EIP) and urging the IRS to take immediate action to speed up the delivery of the remaining payments. In a letter to IRS Commissioner Charles P. Rettig sent Monday, Dr. Ruiz and 77 other members of Congress expressed concern about the quality and timeliness of IRS responses to constituent inquiries and urged the IRS to act with urgency in disbursing the remaining payments.

“Every day, our offices are fielding hundreds of calls and messages from constituents who, through no fault of their own, are in dire need of financial assistance to pay for essentials like rent, gas, and groceries,” Dr. Ruiz and the other members wrote in the letter. “There are still too many taxpayers across the country who have waited for several weeks and without relief in sight. We share their concerns and urge you to take immediate action to speed the delivery of these payments.”

In March, Dr. Ruiz voted for H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which is now law and authorized $425 billion in funding to provide direct payments to individuals. Over 160 million Americans have received their stimulus payment while many are still waiting. Meanwhile, 36.5 million Americans filed unemployment claims in the last eight weeks.

You can read a copy of the letter below.

Dear Commissioner Rettig,

We write to express concerns about the quality and timeliness of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)’s responses (or lack thereof) to questions from our constituents about the delivery status of Economic Impact Payments (EIP). We appreciate the significant operational challenges that the coronavirus poses to the agency and understand that there are legitimate reasons for processing and disbursement delays. However, there are still too many taxpayers across the country who have waited for several weeks and without relief in sight. We share their concerns and urge you to take immediate action to speed the delivery of these payments.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is the largest stimulus package in American history. The CARES Act authorized $425 billion in funding for the EIP program. That funding is distributed in $1,200 payments (sometimes referred to as “stimulus checks”) to each American making $75,000 per year or less. Congress worked quickly to draft this and other COVID-19-related relief bills to address the severe economic hardships necessary to protect public health.

Last month, the National Bureau of Economic Research declared that the U.S. economy entered its first recession in over a decade. The unemployment rate in May was in the double digits—about 16 percent. Over the eight weeks ending on May 9th, 36.5 million Americans filed unemployment claims. Across the country, people are hurting. Every day, our offices are fielding hundreds of calls and messages from constituents who, through no fault of their own, are in dire need of financial assistance to pay for essentials like rent, gas, and groceries.

We appreciate that the IRS has gone to great lengths to implement the EIP program and distribute funds to eligible individuals as quickly as possible, while also attempting to minimize fraud. The scope of these efforts is particularly notable given the IRS’s historic underfunding. Congress has reduced the agency’s budget by 20 percent over the past decade. In that same period, the number of full-time IRS staff decreased by 22 percent.

Given the significant hurdles that the IRS faces in overseeing the implementation of the EIP program, we request the following information so that we may better-assess the IRS’s capacity to carry out the directives contained in the CARES Act:

1. Weekly updates on the status of EIP program implementation. Those updates should include, to date: the number of payments that have been deposited by the recipient, the number of payments that have been mailed by the IRS, and the percentage and number of payments that were sent through each method of disbursement, including paper checks, direct deposit payments, and prepaid debit cards,

2. The number and associated percentage of IRS staff tasked solely with implementing the EIP program,

3. The number of calls received by IRS telephone operators on the topic of missing stimulus checks—along with the number and associated percentages of calls returned by the IRS,

4. Aside from underfunding and associated understaffing, any additional hurdles the IRS is facing that are contributing to the delay in EIP program implementation, and

5. The amount of additional funding needed by the IRS in order to process and deliver all remaining stimulus checks no later than July 15th.

As Members of the U.S. Congress, our responsibilities lie not only in creating programs like EIP, but also in overseeing their implementation. For weeks, our constituents have used the appropriate channels to inquire as to the status of these payments. Those inquiries have been ignored.

The relief programs created in the CARES Act are time-sensitive, as indicated by the speed with which the legislature drafted and enacted this law—along with the historic funding levels that the law authorized. We ask that the IRS provide updates to the American people with the same degree of urgency.

We look forward to your response, which we hope to receive no later than June 30th.

-Hernan Quintas

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