U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd M. Lyons sent a letter to Texas Representative Veronica Escobar on March 18 detailing that one of her staff members, Benito Torres, repeatedly misrepresented himself as an attorney to gain unauthorized access to ICE detention facilities on at least 11 occasions.
The issue is significant because it raises concerns about security protocols and the integrity of oversight processes at federal detention centers. According to the letter, Torres claimed he was an attorney or accredited representative, presenting himself as such in visitor logs and asserting he had proper documentation for legal visits. He also passed a cellphone to detainees during his visits, which is against facility policy.
Lyons wrote, "The available evidence demonstrates your staffer, a senior caseworker named Benito Torres, misrepresented himself as counsel for detainees in ICE custody, violated clear detention standards and security protocols prohibiting the use of cellphones inside ICE facilities, improperly met with multiple detainees, and falsely claimed to ICE personnel such use had been approved by the agency." As a result of these actions, Lyons stated that Torres is now prohibited from accessing any ICE facility.
The letter details that on January 30 at Camp East Montana facility, Torres signed in as a lawyer visiting clients but later admitted he was not an attorney when questioned by facility administrators. Further review found similar incidents dating back to September 2025. The letter also notes that other congressional staffers have attempted similar tactics; in November 2025 Senator Tammy Duckworth dismissed a staffer for comparable behavior.
ICE guidance strictly prohibits personal phones inside its facilities and requires all visitors—including congressional staff—to comply with established rules. The agency may impose sanctions for violations of visitation policies.
Lyons concluded his letter by requesting written responses from Escobar regarding whether Torres acted under her office's direction or authorization and if her office will cooperate with any potential federal investigation into the matter. "I look forward to your responses to these important questions, and I implore all members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, as well as their staff, to refrain from engaging in political games that put law enforcement and detainees at risk," Lyons said.
