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A federal judge expressed optimism Friday over the government’s progress in making needed changes to a Chicago-area federal immigration facility with alleged “inhumane” conditions.
Many of the changes include regular cleaning, ordering bedding and making drinking water and soap more readily available for people held in a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in the West. chicago Suburb of Broadview.
U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman ordered the change Wednesday after hours of emotional testimony from detainees who described clogged toilets, overcrowded cells, a shortage of beds and water that “tasted like sewer.” Gettleman called the alleged conditions “needlessly cruel”.
The testimony offered rare public details about conditions at a facility about which advocates have raised concerns for months and which has drawn scrutiny from members. Congress, lawyers And relatives of people held there have called it a de facto detention center, and there have been tense demonstrations there for several weeks.
After hearing about the recent changes, Gettleman said, “I’m pleased with the government’s report and hopefully we’re moving in the right direction.”
The government claims this is largely in compliance with Gettleman’s order, which will remain in effect for 14 days.
Staff on Thursday began cleaning each holding room at the facility twice a day and have ordered bedding and mattresses, according to a status report from lawyers representing the federal government. Lawyers say the facility provides soap, towels, toilet paper and drinking water to detainees, but will not provide toothbrushes and toothpaste unless requested by a detainee, claiming toothbrushes “can be used as weapons.” The government is also working to secure a new food vendor contract, according to court filings.
Attorneys representing the plaintiffs say they are “suspicious” that changes have been made and want to be able to inspect the facility.
Alexa Van Brunt, Director of the MacArthur Justice Center Illinois The office and an attorney for the plaintiffs also complained Friday that they still have no working phone number or email that allows attorneys to reach their clients who are in the facility. He said that the phone numbers given to him remain switched off
“This has been a frequently repeated issue and has had significant consequences,” Van Brunt told Gettleman.
Gettleman directed the federal government to “fix this as quickly as possible.”
“This is certainly not consistent with the First and Fifth Amendments,” he said before scheduling another meeting to discuss progress on Nov. 12.
Earlier in the morning, U.S. District Judge Sarah Ellis ordered the case’s lead plaintiffs — Pablo Moreno Gonzalez and Felipe Agustin Zamacona — to be immediately released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.
Van Brunt celebrated the release of his clients in a statement to The Associated Press.
“After bravely sharing about what it’s like to be detained at Broadview, we are incredibly relieved that they will no longer be held in inhumane conditions and can safely return to their families,” she said.
Ellis is the same judge who issued a sweeping injunction restricting federal agents’ use of force after granting the top order on Thursday border Patrol The officer repeatedly lied about the threats posed by protesters and journalists.