Inhumane Conditions Persist at Lower Manhattan Detention Center Despite Court Orders
A federal judge's orders aimed at improving living conditions for detained immigrants at a Lower Manhattan facility have been flagrantly disregarded by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, lawyers claim in new court filings. Detainees were denied basic necessities like hygiene products, clean clothing, and even attorney phone calls, despite these being explicitly required by the judge's directives.
The 26 Federal Plaza detention center, which houses hundreds of immigrants, has continued to flout federal standards for detainee care, including reducing the number of people in holding cells, providing sleeping mats, toiletries, and informing detainees of their rights. Testimony from detained individuals and lawyers who have attempted to communicate with them paints a picture of neglect and disregard.
One detainee, Carlos Chalco Chango, recounted his four-day ordeal where he was forced to wear the same clothes without access to soap or proper hygiene facilities. Food portions were also reported to be "very small," while another detainee, Jose Javier Cuy Cumes, described being left without a toothbrush for two days.
Lawyers representing detained immigrants are now seeking to hold ICE in contempt of court over these repeated infractions and are asking the judge to impose monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance with his orders. The Department of Homeland Security has yet to respond to requests for comment on this matter. Detainees have also suffered significant weight loss, as Cumes lost an alarming six pounds during his stay.
The case highlights a systemic failure in the country's immigration detention system, where human rights and dignity are repeatedly compromised in pursuit of enforcement goals. As lawyers push for accountability, it remains to be seen whether meaningful reforms will follow.
A federal judge's orders aimed at improving living conditions for detained immigrants at a Lower Manhattan facility have been flagrantly disregarded by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, lawyers claim in new court filings. Detainees were denied basic necessities like hygiene products, clean clothing, and even attorney phone calls, despite these being explicitly required by the judge's directives.
The 26 Federal Plaza detention center, which houses hundreds of immigrants, has continued to flout federal standards for detainee care, including reducing the number of people in holding cells, providing sleeping mats, toiletries, and informing detainees of their rights. Testimony from detained individuals and lawyers who have attempted to communicate with them paints a picture of neglect and disregard.
One detainee, Carlos Chalco Chango, recounted his four-day ordeal where he was forced to wear the same clothes without access to soap or proper hygiene facilities. Food portions were also reported to be "very small," while another detainee, Jose Javier Cuy Cumes, described being left without a toothbrush for two days.
Lawyers representing detained immigrants are now seeking to hold ICE in contempt of court over these repeated infractions and are asking the judge to impose monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance with his orders. The Department of Homeland Security has yet to respond to requests for comment on this matter. Detainees have also suffered significant weight loss, as Cumes lost an alarming six pounds during his stay.
The case highlights a systemic failure in the country's immigration detention system, where human rights and dignity are repeatedly compromised in pursuit of enforcement goals. As lawyers push for accountability, it remains to be seen whether meaningful reforms will follow.
. I mean, come on, basic necessities like hygiene products and clothes? That's not even basic human rights stuff 
. And don't even get me started on the food portions being super small – that's just cruel and unusual punishment 
. It's crazy how these people are still being treated like animals in a facility meant to be safe and humane 
. The fact that detainees have lost weight, including one guy losing 6 pounds in 4 days, is just wild 
. I mean, what's the point of even having a court order if they're just gonna ignore it? This is like, basic human decency stuff 
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. I mean, a court orders things like hygiene products and sleeping mats, but ICE is just ignoring it? That's crazy! It's not right that detainees have to go without basic necessities like soap or clean clothes for days on end 
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. I can only imagine how tough it must be for them to go through that.
. We should be looking out for people who are just trying to live in this country, not treating them like they're some kind of criminals 
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this is just so outrageous ICE should be held accountable for this 
. The fact that they were denied phone calls from lawyers is just a slap in the face 
. Six pounds lost in two days is just crazy 
can't believe how these "humane" conditions are still being neglected at that Lower Manhattan detention center. Like, I get it, they're trying to keep everyone contained and whatnot, but denying basic stuff like hygiene products and clean clothes? That's just... 
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anyone who's ever had a day where they just felt like giving up would probably understand what these guys are going through. it's not just about the basic things like soap and clothes, it's about feeling human. 
I wish someone would just listen to these people and take action.