Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., on Thursday blamed the Trump administration and the passing of the Laken Riley Act for a sharp increase in illegal migrant detentions. (Getty Images)
"We need the people. We needed an uprising where people are taking to the streets and the phones and writing letters. That's what we need," she added.
Before going into the ICE facility, Wilson said she expected to see criminals with "cases tattooed with gold teeth."
"I wanted to see where were these dangerous people that they had picked up off the street and put them in a detention center," the representative said. "I didn't see that. I saw hard working men. Some more literate than others. I even saw some who are mentally disturbed and have mental issues."
Wilson, who has feuded with President Donald Trump in the past, also blamed the Laken Riley Act for the increase in migrant detentions.
Trump signed the bill into law days after taking office. It directs ICE to detain illegal immigrants arrested or charged with theft-related crimes, or those accused of assaulting a police officer.
TRUMP-APPOINTED JUDGE ORDERS ADMINISTRATION TO RETURN SECOND DEPORTED MIGRANT
University of Georgia murder suspect Jose Ibarra lived within a five-minute walk of the approximate scene where he allegedly murdered 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley on Feb. 22. (Mark Sims for Fox News Digital/ Laken Riley/ Jose Ibarra)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Fox News Digital has reached out to Wilson's offices in Washington and Florida.
Louis Casiano is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to louis.casiano@fox.com.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/democrat-rep-urges-call-threaten-lawmakers-uptick-illegal-immigration-detentions