Democratic lawmakers claim overcrowding and poor conditions at a Mesa immigration center, while Republican Andy Biggs dismissed the visit as a political stunt. MESA, Ariz. — Three Democratic members of Congress made an unannounced visit to an immigration holding center in Mesa on Thursday night. They allege they saw migrants lying down “like sardines” shoulder-to-shoulder on concrete floors and complaining of being hot and needing medical attention for fevers. A Republican congressmember told 12News on Friday he considers those claims a “political stunt” and trusts Homeland Security to protect the rights of migrants in detention. Claims of fire code violations, “vague” answers Arizona Representatives Adelita Grijalva, Greg Stanton, and Yassamin Ansari made the impromptu visit after a federal judge ruled members of Congress do not have to notify ICE before arriving. The three stood together after the visit, saying ICE staff initially attempted to rebuff them. “They first told us we needed to give them seven days’ notice,” Ansari said. “We reminded them we did not. The paperwork we filled out then referenced the fact we had authority to be there.” Grijalva appeared emotional as she described seeing migrants lying shoulder-to-shoulder in rooms. They said fire code signs stated occupancy of 24 people for two rooms each. They say they counted more than twice that amount inside the rooms. “We don’t treat animals like this. People would be outraged,” said Grijalva. Ansari said migrants spoke to them under a crack in a doorway; they were “very hot,” and some of them needed medical attention for fevers. Ansari alleged ICE staff members hesitated to give clear answers about how long people were being held and whether they were getting medical attention. "The pattern here is that every person you talk to gives a different answer, a vague answer. They do everything they can to evade accountability and responsibility,” Ansari said. Biggs: Democrat claims are “politically motivated stunts” The holding center at Mesa-Gateway Airport sits in the congressional district of Andy Biggs (R). 12News asked Biggs on Friday if he had visited the site. A spokesperson for Biggs issued a statement that did not address that question. Biggs blamed Democrats for delaying funding to Homeland Security. “Democrats would rather shut the government down than properly fund DHS so our law enforcement agents can effectively and responsibly do their job,” Biggs said in a written statement. “Instead of working towards a solution, they’d prefer to launch politically motivated stunts to attack the officers doing their best to keep our communities safe.” Biggs said he’s confident Homeland Security is “deporting violent criminals while respecting basic rights.” Homeland Security: Claims are “false” A spokesperson for Homeland Security provided a written statement to 12News. It says in part, “Their claims this facility is overcrowded and horrific are FALSE. ICE operates under strict federal standards, oversite and accountability, and claims of chaotic or inhumane conditions are misinformation, not a reflection of actual practice.” The statement concluded: “When will these congressional members discuss the horrific crimes committed by illegal aliens against American citizens?” Data shows higher percentage have no criminal background According to FactCheck.org, “the percentage of those arrested by ICE who have criminal convictions — not merely pending charges — fell from 44.7% in Trump’s first three months to 31.8% in the three months ending in mid-October.” The organization’s January analysis found that while the administration says they are arresting the “worst of the worst” criminals, “only a small fraction of those detained by ICE have been convicted of the type of violent felony offenses often cited by the administration.” 12News requested Homeland Security to answer specific questions about conditions at the Mesa processing facility. 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