A federal judge has mandated immediate improvements to the conditions at a New York City immigration holding facility, citing complaints from detainees about overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and inadequate supplies.
Judge Lewis A. Kaplan issued a temporary restraining order on Tuesday, requiring U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to limit the number of detainees, ensure the facility’s cleanliness, and provide sleeping mats in the hold rooms at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan.
Concerns were raised about the treatment of detainees after cellphone video footage surfaced last month, showing approximately two dozen men packed into one of the facility’s four hold rooms. Many were seen lying directly on the floor with only thermal blankets for warmth, lacking any form of padding or mattresses.
Court filings revealed distressing details, as detainees reported the absence of basic hygiene items such as soap and toothbrushes. They described the food served to them as inedible “slop” and complained about the overwhelming odor permeating the rooms, which contained open toilets and were filled with sweat, urine, and feces.
One woman in the facility mentioned that she was unable to access menstrual products due to the limited supply, with only two such items provided for several women in her room, as noted in the lawsuit.
In his ruling, Judge Kaplan mandated that each detainee be allocated a minimum of 50 square feet of space, dramatically reducing the largest hold room’s capacity from the overcrowded 40 to just 15 individuals.
“The conditions at 26 Federal Plaza need to align with humane standards,” Kaplan stated at a court hearing, emphasizing the serious risk of “continuing irreparable injury” based on the conditions described by the detainees.
The ruling was backed by government lawyer Jeffrey S. Oestericher, who acknowledged the validity of some of the detainees’ complaints and affirmed commitment to humane treatment within the facility.
The lawsuit, initiated by the immigrant advocacy group Make the Road New York, along with the New York Civil Liberties Union and the American Civil Liberties Union, sought judicial intervention to address what was described as “inhumane and horrifying conditions.”
It was noted that several detainees had been kept at 26 Federal Plaza for extended periods, surpassing the 72-hour norm reported for similar facilities.
Murad Awawdeh, heading the New York Immigration Coalition, praised the ruling as an important advance but called for the permanent closure of the facility, underscoring the need for systemic reform.
Brad Lander, New York City Comptroller, who had been arrested at the facility for attempting to interfere with a detention, remarked that the ruling serves as a significant rebuke of the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
ICE’s Nancy Zanello submitted a declaration affirming the existing conditions, stating that as of the preceding Monday, only 24 individuals were being held, significantly below the 154-person cap set by the city fire marshal.
Zanello indicated that each hold room is equipped with at least one toilet and sink, and that hygiene products are available, including soap, dental wipes, and feminine hygiene items.
Testimonies from detainees presented in court paint a different reality. Sergio Barco Mercado, who was detained after attending an immigration hearing, described the environment as “extremely crowded” and “cold,” noting a pervasive sewage smell that exacerbated a pre-existing tooth infection.
Barco Mercado recounted experiences of inadequate access to water, where guards reportedly limited watering to squirts from a bottle, likening the treatment to that of animals.
Carlos Lopez Benitez, who fled violence in Paraguay, recounted his experience of being mocked during his arrest, as well as the harsh conditions within his holding cell.
He described the meals served as looking like “dog food,” and noted that officers blasted air conditioning, further adding to the discomfort.
The federal judge’s ruling serves as a crucial step towards improving the dire conditions at 26 Federal Plaza, reflecting ongoing concerns about the treatment of immigrants in detention facilities across the country.
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