A recent video obtained by ABC News reveals troubling conditions inside a migrant holding facility located in a federal building at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, New York City.
The videos, which were shared by a detainee, illustrate what many are calling a troubling reality for those seeking asylum in the United States.
Assembly member Catalina Cruz confirmed that the man who filmed the video is a constituent of hers who was detained during an immigration hearing.
The footage depicts a room overcrowded with more than a dozen individuals, some lying on the floor on thermal blankets and others seated on benches.
At one point, the man filming expresses his distress, saying in Spanish, “Look how they have us, the situation that we’re in… like dogs in here.”
He further adds a stark commentary on the American Dream, stating, “The American dream. Immigration, 26 Federal Plaza.”
In a press release on Tuesday, the New York Immigration Coalition emphasized that the visuals point to the facility being used as a detention center rather than merely a holding area.
This distinction is significant because it raises questions about the level of oversight that should be applied by Congress regarding migrant treatment.
Previous attempts by Congress members Jerry Nadler and Dan Goldman to access the facility were thwarted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), leaving them questioning what the agency is hiding.
Goldman expressed frustration, stating, “The question is, why can’t we go in? What are they hiding? This is unacceptable.”
Despite these claims, DHS insists that the facility is a processing center where migrants are only briefly held before being transferred to ICE detention facilities.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin reiterated this position, asserting, “26 Federal Plaza is not a detention center. It is a processing center where illegal aliens are briefly processed to be transferred to an ICE detention facility.”
McLaughlin categorically denied claims of overcrowding and subpar conditions, claiming detainees receive proper meals, medical treatment, and communication access with family and legal representatives.
Advocates for immigrants have pushed back against these assertions, reporting that conditions within the facility are unsanitary and that nutritional provisions for detainees are minimal.
Assemblywoman Cruz has condemned the treatment outlined in the videos, expressing her outrage.
She remarked, “I mean, it’s by design, it’s on purpose; they don’t want people to see exactly what they’re doing, which is violating people’s human rights, making sure that people feel desperate, isolated, alone, scared.”
Cruz emphasized the need for reform, insisting that those in detention should be treated with basic dignity.
“We need to fight back to make sure that folks are treated with dignity, that folks have their day in court, that folks have access to the bare minimum, which is food, medication, a bed, a bathroom,” she said.
The release of these videos has opened a significant dialogue surrounding the treatment of migrants in the United States, calling into question the government’s transparency regarding immigration processes.
As the situation continues to evolve, lawmakers and advocates remain vigilant, demanding accountability and humane treatment for those navigating the immigration system.
image source from：abcnews
