Federal Judge Concludes Broadview ICE Facility Has Become a "Prison"
A federal judge has concluded that the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broadview, Illinois, has become a prison, not just a temporary holding center. The facility's unsanitary conditions, lack of basic amenities, and human rights abuses have sparked widespread criticism.
The judge's comments came after more than three hours of testimony from former detainees who described being crammed into cells without access to hot meals, clean water, or adequate sanitation facilities. Many reported feeling like they were in a "breeding ground for illness" with poor conditions that made it difficult for them to even use the toilet.
The judge's ruling was part of a proposed class-action lawsuit filed by the MacArthur Justice Center and the Roger Baldwin Foundation of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) against ICE. The lawsuit alleges that the Broadview facility is being used as a "warehousing" center, where people are held for days without access to basic necessities.
The judge's comments were met with skepticism from the government lawyer representing ICE, Jana Brady, who argued that granting a temporary restraining order could cripple the Trump administration's immigration campaign. However, the judge assured her that his ruling would not interfere with the executive's decision to increase enforcement of immigration laws.
The Broadview facility has been at the center of protests and controversy since the start of "Operation Midway Blitz," a Trump-era deportation campaign aimed at rapidly removing migrants from the country. The Sun-Times and WBEZ have documented how the facility has held people for multiple days without providing basic necessities like food, water, or sanitation.
Lawyers representing detainees testified that temperatures in the facility were extreme and uncomfortable, with only some receiving thin blankets to try to retain warmth. Others described being forced to sleep on dirty floors near open toilets, with little to no privacy.
The judge's ruling has significant implications for the Trump administration's immigration policies, which have been criticized by human rights groups and advocates for migrant rights. The case is likely to be closely watched as a test of the administration's commitment to upholding human rights standards in its detention facilities.
A federal judge has concluded that the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broadview, Illinois, has become a prison, not just a temporary holding center. The facility's unsanitary conditions, lack of basic amenities, and human rights abuses have sparked widespread criticism.
The judge's comments came after more than three hours of testimony from former detainees who described being crammed into cells without access to hot meals, clean water, or adequate sanitation facilities. Many reported feeling like they were in a "breeding ground for illness" with poor conditions that made it difficult for them to even use the toilet.
The judge's ruling was part of a proposed class-action lawsuit filed by the MacArthur Justice Center and the Roger Baldwin Foundation of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) against ICE. The lawsuit alleges that the Broadview facility is being used as a "warehousing" center, where people are held for days without access to basic necessities.
The judge's comments were met with skepticism from the government lawyer representing ICE, Jana Brady, who argued that granting a temporary restraining order could cripple the Trump administration's immigration campaign. However, the judge assured her that his ruling would not interfere with the executive's decision to increase enforcement of immigration laws.
The Broadview facility has been at the center of protests and controversy since the start of "Operation Midway Blitz," a Trump-era deportation campaign aimed at rapidly removing migrants from the country. The Sun-Times and WBEZ have documented how the facility has held people for multiple days without providing basic necessities like food, water, or sanitation.
Lawyers representing detainees testified that temperatures in the facility were extreme and uncomfortable, with only some receiving thin blankets to try to retain warmth. Others described being forced to sleep on dirty floors near open toilets, with little to no privacy.
The judge's ruling has significant implications for the Trump administration's immigration policies, which have been criticized by human rights groups and advocates for migrant rights. The case is likely to be closely watched as a test of the administration's commitment to upholding human rights standards in its detention facilities.
. It's crazy that ICE has turned Broadview into a prison, where people are being held for days without basic necessities like food and water 
. I mean, come on! Is this really how we're treating human beings? The stories of detainees being crammed into cells with no access to toilets or showers... it's just heartbreaking 
.
. It's about time someone stood up for these people who are just trying to seek a better life in our country.
. We need to make sure that we're treating everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of their immigration status. Anything less is just unacceptable 
.
The whole thing just feels so wrong... I mean, can you even imagine being stuck in those conditions? It's like they're literally treating people like animals or something. 
And it's not just the lack of basic amenities, it's also the way they're treating the detainees themselves - like they're not even human beings anymore. 
The fact that the judge is saying this place has become a prison is honestly no surprise to me... I mean, it's not like we haven't seen these kinds of stories coming out of ICE facilities before. It's time for some real change in our country! 
.
... i mean, facility 
... anywayz so like they're saying it's all about human rights and stuff but come on its just ice holding ppl for days without basic amenities 
... i dont get why they cant jus provide some decent food and water like thats a lot to ask 
... and btw what even is a "warehousing" center 
...anywayz hope the detainees get the justice they deserve 
The judge making that ruling is like, total hero 
And omg the conditions in there, extreme temps and dirty floors... its gross 
like is that really too much to ask? i mean my grandma has better conditions in her assisted living home 
and she's not even being deported or anything...anyway idk about all this but i'll be keeping an eye on it 
. The government is just trying to sweep this under the rug and pretend everything is fine 
.
! I cant believe they're treating people like animals 
! No hot meals, clean water, or proper sanitation? That's just inhumane... the judge was totally right to call it a prison 
I'm so done with this ICE place! 
. It's unacceptable that people are being held in these conditions for days without basic necessities like food, water, or even decent toilets 
. This judge is totally right in saying it's a prison 
not just a holding center! Prison should mean more than just bars and cells 
. It means humane treatment 
!
This whole thing is wild 
anyone else think this is a major red flag for our immigration system? 
honestly thinkin, this Broadview ICE facility is a total joke 
but not in a funny way...it's like they're treatin' people as less than human beings 
... it's like they're intentionally trying to create an environment that'll make people sick, or even worse, drive them crazy! I mean, who needs blankets when you've got extreme temperatures going on? And don't even get me started on the toilets – being forced to sleep on dirty floors with no privacy is just wrong.
And to think that some ppl actually have to sleep on dirty floors near toilets... ugh!
. It's like they're trying to break people's spirits before even questioning their immigration status. Sanitation and basic amenities should be a given, not some luxury they decide to withhold from detainees. 
. We need real reforms, not just lip service to human rights standards