A federal judge has concluded that a US immigration facility in Broadview, Illinois, has become a prison-like environment where conditions are unsanitary and detainees face extreme discomfort. The judge described the conditions as "disturbing" but said he wouldn't issue an order that would be impossible to comply with.
Testimony from five former detainees detailed overcrowding, poor sanitation, and inadequate living conditions at the facility. Detainees reported being held in cells with hundreds of other people, with only a thin layer of insulation between them and the toilet. One detainee had to wake up others to use the bathroom because they were sleeping beside it.
Lawyers representing the detainees argued that the facility is not equipped for overnight stays but has been holding people for days on end. They claimed temperatures are extreme and uncomfortable, with most nights freezing cold but only a few receiving blankets or warm clothing.
The judge acknowledged that conditions at the facility have become intolerable and expressed his concern about the treatment of detained individuals. He noted that the facility's central role in the Trump administration's deportation campaign has led to an aggressive approach to enforcing immigration laws in Illinois, which may be detrimental to public health.
Lawyers for the detainees are seeking a temporary restraining order to improve conditions at the facility. However, Justice Department lawyers warned that such an order could cripple the Trump administration's efforts to enforce immigration laws in Illinois.
Testimony from five former detainees detailed overcrowding, poor sanitation, and inadequate living conditions at the facility. Detainees reported being held in cells with hundreds of other people, with only a thin layer of insulation between them and the toilet. One detainee had to wake up others to use the bathroom because they were sleeping beside it.
Lawyers representing the detainees argued that the facility is not equipped for overnight stays but has been holding people for days on end. They claimed temperatures are extreme and uncomfortable, with most nights freezing cold but only a few receiving blankets or warm clothing.
The judge acknowledged that conditions at the facility have become intolerable and expressed his concern about the treatment of detained individuals. He noted that the facility's central role in the Trump administration's deportation campaign has led to an aggressive approach to enforcing immigration laws in Illinois, which may be detrimental to public health.
Lawyers for the detainees are seeking a temporary restraining order to improve conditions at the facility. However, Justice Department lawyers warned that such an order could cripple the Trump administration's efforts to enforce immigration laws in Illinois.
. I mean, who wants to be stuck in a cell with like 200 other people and no decent toilet? It's not exactly the most conducive environment for human dignity, you know? And don't even get me started on the temp situation - freezing cold one night, sweltering heat the next? That's just basic humanity fail 
. I'm all for tough immigration laws and whatnot, but come on, can't we find a way to make things more humane too? It's like they're trying to create some kind of dystopian nightmare 
. I mean, five former detainees came forward with stories like that, so yeah, it's not just some isolated incident. We need to do better, people!
. I mean, can you believe it? A federal judge just described a US immigration facility as basically a prison with disgusting conditions 
. Overcrowding, poor sanitation, and freezing temperatures - it's like something out of a horror movie! And the worst part is, these people are being held for days on end in cells that are barely equipped to handle them. It's just so...humanitarian crisis waiting to happen 
. I mean, can't we just treat people with basic respect and compassion? This judge seems to agree, but now lawyers are trying to get a temporary restraining order to fix things up 
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And the Justice Department is just throwing around warnings about how it'll affect enforcement efforts...like, what does that even have to do with anything? 
. Anyway, I hope these detainees get some serious improvements made ASAP 
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I can imagine how uncomfortable and unsanitary those conditions must be. And the temperatures are extreme too?! Like, freezing cold at night but only a few get warm clothes? 
That's just cruel.
Are they really just gonna let people suffer like this? I feel bad for the former detainees who had to go through that. It's great that lawyers are fighting for them, but what about the current detainees who might still be in that awful place? 
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. I'm glad the judge is speaking out about this, but it's crazy that they can't just make some changes to improve conditions. Lawyers are trying to get a restraining order, which makes sense, but the Justice Department is worried about enforcing immigration laws? It's like they're more concerned with punishing people than protecting their human rights 
.
. I just can't even right now...
. and can u believe the judge is worried about public health but not wanting 2 enforce a restraining order? like, isn't that kinda the point of a restraining order? to help ppl? I mean, i feel bad 4 these detainees but I'm also low-key impressed by their ability 2 sleep in a cell w/ no insulation 
. and omg, who needs blankets when u can just be frozen cold all nite? some ppl r just more resilient than us, lol
not humans. Lawyers say it's like a prison-like environment and I don't blame 'em. The judge said it's disturbing but wouldn't issue an order cuz it's hard to fix... but what's the point of having laws if we can't enforce 'em fairly? 
I'm so done with these detention centers! Like, what's the point of even calling it humane if you're gonna pack people into cells like sardines? And don't even get me started on the toilet situation - that's just disgusting 
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what's the real story behind this facility?
i mean we have homeless shelters that do better than this, and these ppl are just trying to survive or be processed for deportation. it's all about finding a balance between enforcing laws and treating ppl like humans
