On Tuesday, November 4, Eimer Stahl, together with co-counsel from the MacArthur Justice Center and the ACLU of Illinois, appeared in court for a hearing on our class action lawsuit against Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), ICE, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, and others.
During the hearing, Judge Robert W. Gettleman heard testimony from former detainees describing inhumane and unconstitutional conditions of confinement and denial of access to legal counsel. Individuals reported being coerced into signing legal documents provided only in English—documents they could not understand—leading to their immediate deportation. They were told that signing was the only way to leave Broadview. Two immigration attorneys also testified that they were unable to communicate with their clients while they were held at Broadview.
"I think the government has gotten itself into a jam by rounding up as many people as they have without having facilities to maintain them," said Nate Eimer. "I think this is something they should have thought about before they rounded up these hundreds of people and stuck them in these rooms. I think they are now going to have to treat them according to constitutional minimums."
Nate emphasized that some changes could be implemented immediately.
The court will reconvene Wednesday afternoon to determine whether a temporary restraining order will be issued and what conditions will apply.
See the full complaint filed last Thursday.
Additional news coverage:
‘It has really become a prison’: Broadview detainees detail dirty, overcrowded facility in court, Chicago Tribune (subscription required)
‘Unnecessarily Cruel’: Judge Expresses Alarm About ICE Detention Conditions, The New York Times
Witnesses testify to alleged unsanitary, squalid conditions inside Broadview ICE facility, ABC 7 Chicago
Judge set to decide whether or not to issue TRO for Broadview ICE facility, ABC 7 Chicago
Hearing on conditions at Broadview ICE facility | The Chicago Report, Fox 32 Chicago
Ill. ICE Processing Facility Has 'Become A Prison,' Judge Says, Law360