Judge weighs whether permanent court order necessary to ensure humane conditions at 26 Federal Plaza | amNewYork

A class action challenges inhumane conditions at 26 Federal Plaza after ICE arrests increased over the summer. Detainees were allegedly confined in extremely overcrowded cells, with as many as 193 people and frequently over 100 in four cells covering only a few hundred square feet. Testimony described constant fear, lack of information about whereabouts, and cells with odors from sweat, urine, and feces. A temporary court order limited detention to no more than 22 people at once and required access to food, medical care, clean clothes, sanitary conditions, and attorneys. Immigrant attorneys seek a permanent order to prevent a return to summer 2025 conditions, citing continued violations of the temporary limits.

"A class action filed last August by immigrant rights attorneys challenged traumatizing conditions at 26 Federal Plaza that sprang up over the summer as ICE agents arrested dozens of immigrants across the city daily, including many as they stepped out of court hearings in the same building. Detainees were kept in reprehensible conditions, attorneys said, with as many as 193 and frequently over 100 crammed into four cells collectively just a few hundred square feet."

"According to testimony read in court Wednesday, former detainees described the conditions as a nightmare, with one saying, I was in constant fear I would disappear, and no one would know where I was, while others said they were crammed into cells that reeked of sweat, urine and feces, with so many people there wasn't enough room to lie down."

"A few days after the suit was filed in Manhattan federal court, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan issued a temporary order requiring the federal government not detain more than 22 people at once and ensuring that all detainees have access to appropriate food, medical care, clean clothes, sanitary conditions, and attorneys. Immigrant attorneys are asking that the temporary order be made permanent, so conditions at 26 Federal Plaza never return to what they were during the summer of 2025."

"It's essential that the court grant continuous injunctive relief to prevent this from happening again, said attorney Heather Gregorio, part of the team representing detainees. Gregorio said the feds held more than 22 people on over half the days since the August order went into effect, arguing"

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