No criminals here': Goldman, Espaillat gain access to ICE detention center after judge's ruling amNewYork

"Congressman Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat were finally permitted entry to the 10th-floor ICE detention center at 26 Federal Plaza on Friday and say they did not find any criminals. Photo by Dean Moses Congressman Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat were finally permitted entry to the 10th-floor ICE detention center at 26 Federal Plaza on Friday and say they did not find any criminals."

"After about six months of attempting to gain access to the makeshift detention center, the pair were finally able to set foot inside following a judge's decision. amNewYork followed the politicians as they made their way to the 10th floor but were ushered back by armored DHS agents. When the elected officials were given access, they said ICE was given 24 hours' notice that the pair would be performing an overnight visit, and staff were swiftly trying to clean up the place."

"When we came, there were a number of Fed cap workers mopping and cleaning, Goldman said. It was very clean. It was not very clean in those videos. The pair say they observed the holding areas that became famous when a video of the cramped, dirty conditions of people lying on the ground. On Dec. 19 Goldman said that about nine people were being held captive, who did not have access to beds and instead were forced to sleep on thin gym mats."

"The congressman also shared that those detained are forced to share toilets without seats. Goldman said he also made contact with some of the detainees, stating that he found what has long been suspected: those inside were not criminals, adding that ICE appears to be targeting low-hanging fruit. Congressman Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat were finally permitted entry to the 10th-floor ICE detention center at 26 Federal Plaza on Friday and say they did not find any criminals.Photo by Dean Moses"

Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat were permitted entry to the 10th-floor ICE detention center at 26 Federal Plaza after about six months and a judge's decision. amNewYork followed them but was initially ushered back by armored DHS agents. ICE staff received 24 hours' notice of the overnight visit and were observed mopping and cleaning. Visitors observed holding areas previously shown in videos of cramped, dirty conditions. On Dec. 19 Goldman reported about nine detainees sleeping on thin gym mats and sharing toilets without seats. Goldman spoke with detainees and found individuals with no criminal convictions.

Read at www.amny.com