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Federal Judge Orders Improvements to NYC Migrant Holding Facility
A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to improve conditions at a migrant holding facility in Manhattan following accusations of inadequate hygiene, overcrowding, and limited legal access. The facility, located at 26 Federal Plaza, has been the subject of controversy after videos surfaced last month appearing to show detainees sleeping on the floor in a crowded room with limited toilet privacy.
Attorneys representing detainees allege that individuals were held for days or even weeks without access to showers, clean clothes, or toothbrushes. They also claimed that dozens of people were forced to share one or two toilets in open view.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has disputed these accounts, insisting that the facility is a short-term processing center and that migrants are transferred quickly. However, DHS lawyer Jeffrey S.
Oestericher acknowledged in court that detainees were receiving only two meals a day and lacked beds or sleeping mats. He also confirmed the limited toilet facilities.
Judge Lewis Kaplan questioned the government’s argument, suggesting that even short-term detention must adhere to constitutional standards. He also noted the discrepancy between current detainee numbers and the significantly higher figures alleged in affidavits, speculating that conditions might have been improved in anticipation of legal action.
The judge’s order mandates that the holding areas be cleaned regularly and stocked with soap, towels, feminine hygiene products, and other necessary supplies. Additionally, DHS must promptly inform detainees of their right to legal counsel and facilitate confidential attorney-client communication.
The ACLU and other advocacy groups welcomed the ruling, emphasizing the importance of upholding detainees’ constitutional rights. DHS has yet to comment on the judge’s order.