Judge optimistic about improvements at Chicago-area ICE facility with
alleged 'inhumane' conditions
[November 08, 2025]
By CHRISTINE FERNANDO
CHICAGO (AP) — A federal judge expressed optimism Friday at the
government's progress in making required changes to a Chicago-area
federal immigration facility with alleged “inhumane” conditions.
Many of the changes included regular cleanings, ordering bedding and
making drinking water and soap more readily available for people held in
the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in the west
Chicago suburb of Broadview.
U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman ordered the changes Wednesday after
several hours of emotional testimony from detainees about overflowing
toilets, crowded cells, no beds and water that “tasted like sewer."
Gettleman called the alleged conditions “unnecessarily cruel."
The testimony offered rare public accounts about the conditions at a
facility that advocates have raised concern about for months and that
has draw scrutiny from members of Congress. Lawyers and relatives of
people held there have called it a de facto detention center, and tense
demonstrations have been held there for several weeks.
“I am pleased with the government’s report, and hopefully we’re moving
in the right direction," Gettleman said after hearing about recent
changes.
The government claims it is largely in compliance with Gettleman's
order, which will be in effect for 14 days.
Staff on Thursday began cleaning each holding room of the facility twice
a day and have ordered bedding and mattresses, according to a status
report from attorneys representing the federal government. The attorneys
say the facility has soap, towels, toilet paper and drinking water
available for detainees but will not provide toothbrushes and toothpaste
unless requested by a detainee, claiming the toothbrushes “can be used
as weapons.” The government is also working to secure a new food vendor
contract, according to court filings.
Attorneys representing the plaintiffs say they are “doubtful” that the
changes have been made and want to be able to inspect the facility.
Alexa Van Brunt, director of the MacArthur Justice Center’s Illinois
office and an attorney for the plaintiffs, also complained Friday that
they still don't have a working phone number or email that allows
attorneys to reach their clients who are held in the facility. She said
the phone numbers provided to them remain disconnected
“This has been such a repeated issue, and one that has had significant
consequences," Van Brunt told Gettleman.
Gettleman instructed the federal government to “fix that as soon as we
can.”
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A demonstrator holds a sign reading "STOP BEATING PEOPLE" near a
line of law enforcement as protesters gather outside an ICE
processing facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview, Ill.,
Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
“That’s not compliant with the First and Fifth Amendment that’s for
sure,” he said before setting another meeting to discuss progress
for Nov. 12.
Later Friday, Jana Brady, an attorney representing the federal
government, complained about the expedited timeline for gathering
documents on the facility's conditions within the two-week time
period.
“It’s impossible to get them everything they’ve asked for," she
said, claiming they are “working around the clock.”
Plaintiff lawyers hope the document-gathering phase of the case will
offer a rare glimpse inside Broadview. On Wednesday, they said they
may request surveillance footage of the inside of the facility among
a host of other documents, including an inspection log.
Magistrate Judge Laura K. McNally on Friday suggested extending the
order may mean “some of this pressure cooker can be relieved" and
encouraged attorneys on either side to discuss that possibility. She
also began plans to schedule an inspection at the facility next
week.
Earlier in the morning, U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis ordered the
lead plaintiffs in the case -- Pablo Moreno Gonzalez and Felipe
Agustin Zamacona -- be released from U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement custody immediately.
Van Brunt celebrated her clients’ release in a statement to the
Associated Press.
“After bravely sharing their harrowing accounts of what it is like
to be detained in Broadview, we are incredibly relieved that they no
longer have to be held in inhumane conditions and can be safely
returned to their families,” she said.
Ellis is the same judge who on Thursday issued an extensive
injunction restricting federal agents’ use of force after saying a
top Border Patrol official repeatedly lied about threats posed by
protesters and reporters.
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