Washington (CNN) House Oversight Democrats say they were blocked this week by the Department of Homeland Security from visiting 11 immigration facilities after inspections by the committee previously "revealed potentially serious ongoing problems" of how migrants are treated.

"Detainees at Border Patrol facilities expressed concern that toddlers -- and in one case even an infant -- were being fed burritos rather than age-appropriate food, young children were held in cold rooms without appropriate clothing, and parents were not given a significant number of diapers for their children," Democratic House Oversight Chairman Elijah Cummings wrote in a letter to DHS Thursday, complaining about the move to block follow-up visits.

Cummings adds: "One detainee alleged that a Border Patrol agent told a child who had spilled soup that the child would not receive more food unless the child drank the soup off the floor. Detainees at Border Patrol facilities also told committee staff that they were pressured into signing documents in English without translation and denied access to telephones."

DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Cummings argues that DHS's actions are "inconsistent" with the agency's pledge during a committee hearing this summer that they welcomed congressional inspections and dialogue about improving existing standards.

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