U.S. federal agents working for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detain immigrants and asylum seekers reporting for immigration court proceedings at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building's U.S. Immigration Court in New York, New York, Thursda …
NEW YORK - A U.S. district judge has issued a temporary restraining order requiring holding cells at 26 Federal Plaza to meet certain conditions before ICE can use them detain more people.
Requirements for holding room at 26 Federal Plaza
What we know:
U.S. District Judge Kaplan ruled earlier today, August 12, that holding rooms or cells at 26 Federal Plaza must meet certain requirements if they are to be used to detain people.
Some of the requirements include:
- A clean bedding mat for each detainee in the room
- Adequate supplies of soap, towels, and other hygiene supplies
- Being cleaned thoroughly at least three times a day
The full list, as well as the entirety of the ruling, can be read below:
Another requirement is that every detainee in a "hold room" must be provided a printed Notice of Rights stating the list of rights within one hour of their arrival. A few of the rights listed include:
- The right to engage and consult with an attorney or attorneys
- To schedule legal calls with counsel within a certain timeframe
- To request, and promptly upon request, be provided one additional meal per day
Said Notice of Rights must be provided in both English and Spanish.
The lawsuit that led to this
The backstory:
The lawsuit was filed on August 8 by a Peruvian immigrant named Sergio Alberto Barco Mercado.
Barco Mercado is also being represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and the New York Civil Liberties Union. Barco Mercado is currently being held at 26 Federal Plaza.
The suit claims that people detained in the holding rooms have little access to legal counsel and are subjected to unsafe health conditions. The entire suit can be read below:
The Source: This article includes information from legal documents.