A federal judge has warned that conditions at a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broadview are becoming increasingly unbearable. "It's really become a prison," said U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman. His comments come after five former detainees described the unsanitary conditions they endured while being held at the facility.
The detainees, who were allegedly crammed into holding cells with up to 100 people at a time without adequate food or sleep, reported feeling like they were in a "breeding ground for illness." One former detain said he had to step over bodies on the floor due to overcrowding. Another testified that she and other female detainees used garbage bags to unclog toilets because staff refused to provide them with proper cleaning supplies.
The judge's comments also highlighted the extreme temperatures at the facility, with many nights freezing cold but only a few people receiving thin blankets or clothing to keep warm. The conditions have led to allegations that detainees are being "warehoused" for days on end, with limited access to basic necessities like sanitation and medical care.
A Justice Department lawyer argued that granting a temporary restraining order would cripple the Trump administration's immigration enforcement campaign, which relies heavily on facilities like Broadview. However, Judge Gettleman warned that if conditions are unconstitutional, so be it.
The facility has become a focal point of the Trump administration's aggressive deportation campaign in Illinois, and lawyers have been pushing back against its treatment of detainees. The judge's comments have added fuel to the debate, highlighting the dire need for reform at the facility and the broader immigration system.
The detainees, who were allegedly crammed into holding cells with up to 100 people at a time without adequate food or sleep, reported feeling like they were in a "breeding ground for illness." One former detain said he had to step over bodies on the floor due to overcrowding. Another testified that she and other female detainees used garbage bags to unclog toilets because staff refused to provide them with proper cleaning supplies.
The judge's comments also highlighted the extreme temperatures at the facility, with many nights freezing cold but only a few people receiving thin blankets or clothing to keep warm. The conditions have led to allegations that detainees are being "warehoused" for days on end, with limited access to basic necessities like sanitation and medical care.
A Justice Department lawyer argued that granting a temporary restraining order would cripple the Trump administration's immigration enforcement campaign, which relies heavily on facilities like Broadview. However, Judge Gettleman warned that if conditions are unconstitutional, so be it.
The facility has become a focal point of the Trump administration's aggressive deportation campaign in Illinois, and lawyers have been pushing back against its treatment of detainees. The judge's comments have added fuel to the debate, highlighting the dire need for reform at the facility and the broader immigration system.
! I mean, can you even imagine being stuck in a holding cell with 100 other people, no food or sleep? It's like something out of a horror movie... 
️ The judge's right, it's become a prison and it needs to be fixed ASAP 
. I'm all for making sure everyone gets the rights they deserve, but this is just unbelievable 
. And poor people who got held there, suffering from illness because of no sanitation or care... it's disgusting 
.
this is just so sad... I mean, how can ppl be treated like that? it's crazy imagine having to step over bodies in a cell 
. I don't get why they have to make it so hard on people who are just trying to live their lives here. ICE facility conditions are straight outta horror movie 
it's not even a prison anymore, it's like a war zone 
this is so sad and unacceptable...can u imagine being crammed into a tiny cell with no food or sleep? it's like something out of a horror movie 
. how can we not be outraged by this kind of treatment of human beings? 
we need to do something about this, like, now! 
. Like come on guys how hard can it be to provide basic necessities? And now I'm imagining all these people freezing their butts off at night with no blankets or clothes 
. Can't we just get some basic human decency for once?
. I mean, what happened to basic human decency? even my grandma would be appalled by these conditions 
. and don't even get me started on the toilets... who does that?! 
. we need to do better, you know? this isn't some dystopian novel, it's real life 
.