A Federal Judge Set to Weigh In on Abysmal Conditions at Chicago-Area ICE Facility
A US District Judge is scheduled to hear arguments on Tuesday after Illinois groups sued the federal government for the deplorable conditions at a Chicago-area immigration facility. The plaintiffs claim that detainees at the facility in Broadview, a west suburb of Chicago, have been subjected to "inhumane" treatment, including denied access to basic necessities like food and water, as well as medical care.
Attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois and the MacArthur Justice Center allege that agents at the facility have also denied people held there private calls with attorneys, forcing them to sign paperwork they don't understand. This, in turn, has led to the relinquishment of their rights and the threat of deportation without proper understanding.
In response, Homeland Security Department officials have denied the allegations, arguing that such claims have contributed to an increase in death threats against immigration officers.
In a last-minute move, Judge Robert Gettleman ordered the lead plaintiffs, two Mexican immigrants who have lived in the US for over 30 years and were detained by ICE, to be returned to the Chicago area ahead of Tuesday's hearing. The plaintiffs had been held at the facility since October and had raised concerns about conditions there for months.
Advocates have long warned about the dire conditions at the facility, which has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers, politicians, and activist groups. Lawyers and relatives of those held at the center have described it as a de facto detention center, where up to 200 people are often held without access to legal counsel.
Protests at the facility have also led to arrests, with demonstrators claiming that federal agents violated their First Amendment rights by using excessive force, including tear gas and other weapons.
A US District Judge is scheduled to hear arguments on Tuesday after Illinois groups sued the federal government for the deplorable conditions at a Chicago-area immigration facility. The plaintiffs claim that detainees at the facility in Broadview, a west suburb of Chicago, have been subjected to "inhumane" treatment, including denied access to basic necessities like food and water, as well as medical care.
Attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois and the MacArthur Justice Center allege that agents at the facility have also denied people held there private calls with attorneys, forcing them to sign paperwork they don't understand. This, in turn, has led to the relinquishment of their rights and the threat of deportation without proper understanding.
In response, Homeland Security Department officials have denied the allegations, arguing that such claims have contributed to an increase in death threats against immigration officers.
In a last-minute move, Judge Robert Gettleman ordered the lead plaintiffs, two Mexican immigrants who have lived in the US for over 30 years and were detained by ICE, to be returned to the Chicago area ahead of Tuesday's hearing. The plaintiffs had been held at the facility since October and had raised concerns about conditions there for months.
Advocates have long warned about the dire conditions at the facility, which has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers, politicians, and activist groups. Lawyers and relatives of those held at the center have described it as a de facto detention center, where up to 200 people are often held without access to legal counsel.
Protests at the facility have also led to arrests, with demonstrators claiming that federal agents violated their First Amendment rights by using excessive force, including tear gas and other weapons.
This is just crazy... I mean, can you imagine being stuck in a place where they don't even give you basic human needs like food and water? It's outrageous. And to make matters worse, people are being denied their right to talk to lawyers because they're scared of deportation without understanding what's happening. 
. And the worst part is that they're being denied private calls with their attorneys, which means they don't even know what's going on or how to defend themselves 
. I can only imagine how scary and confusing it must be for them to be in such a situation.
. It's like, come on, people have the right to speak out against injustice! The fact that they're using excessive force on protesters is just ridiculous 
. I hope Judge Gettleman listens to the plaintiffs and does something to address these dire conditions 
. We need to make sure that everyone, regardless of their immigration status, is treated with dignity and respect 
.
And to make matters worse, they're being denied private calls with their attorneys so they can't even understand the charges against them. How can you expect someone to sign paperwork if they don't know what it is? 
This is a total human rights violation. I'm so glad there are people like Judge Gettleman who are stepping in to hold the government accountable for this mess. We need more advocates like him and less excuses from Homeland Security. 
. I mean, a judge is only hearing this case because someone finally spoke out about the deplorable conditions at this ICE facility? It feels like they're trying to cover their tracks 
. And what's with the "inhumane" treatment allegations? Sounds like a classic case of silencing dissenting voices 
.
. I'm not buying it. This whole situation smells like a setup to me 
.
i'm all for a peaceful protest but come on, usa! treat your own ppl with some dignity & respect 
they just deny you access. It's insane. The advocates have been warning about this place for months but nobody listened 
Now two Mexican immigrants who've lived here for 30+ years are being brought back to be heard in court 
I'm not surprised really... we all know how corrupt the system is 
we should have discussions about the moral implications of detaining ppl without access to medical care or private calls with lawyers... it's just not right 
. seriously though, it's appalling that people are being subjected to "inhumane" treatment just because they're trying to follow the rules and live in a country that's supposed to be welcoming 
the fact that people are being forced to sign paperwork they don't understand is just, like, wow 
. and now we're hearing about death threats against immigration officers? 
. it's all so... familiar 
.
. And now they're saying it's because of all the death threats against immigration officers? Like, no way 
.
And remember, just because something's the law doesn't mean it's right. We need to keep pushing boundaries, questioning authority, until we get justice for everyone! 
. I mean, shouldn't ppl be able to have some basic human rights while they're stuck in a detention center? 
. 200 people stuck there with no access to basic stuff like food and water? that's not a detention center that's a nightmare. 
. Judge Gettleman gotta sort this mess out ASAP, like yesterday's trash 
. And btw, who needs tear gas when you can just have a calm conversation with the cops? 
like wut kinda place is that 2 ppl who lived here for over 30 yrs were detained too lol they been complainin bout conditions 4 months already 
gotta keep the voices of advocacy and protest loud 
, it's like they're not even human beings anymore! The gov't can't just ignore the fact that people are suffering because of these policies 
. And what's with the private calls with attorneys? That's a fundamental right being taken away from them 
. The gov't needs to step up and do something about this ASAP