Advocates allege ‘inhumane’ conditions at Chicago-area ICE facility in new lawsuit
CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois lawyers filed a lawsuit Friday against federal officials alleging “inhumane” conditions in the Chicago area federal immigration facility.
Lawyers with the ACLU of Illinois and the MacArthur Justice Center said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials deny the men are being held there. Wide viewing opportunity private conversations with lawyers blocked members of Congress, faith leaders and journalists entering the buildingThey say it creates a “black box” that allows authorities to act with “impunity.”
Agents also allegedly forced people held in the processing center to sign paperwork they did not understand, causing them to unknowingly waive their rights. facing deportationaccording to the case.
Representatives for ICE and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment Friday.
Alexa Van Brunt, director of the MacArthur Justice Center’s Illinois office and the lead attorney on the case, said community members were “kidnapped off the streets, shoved into holding cells, denied food, medical care and basic needs, and forced to sign away their legal rights.”
“Everyone, regardless of their legal status, has the right to access a lawyer and not be subjected to horrific and inhumane conditions,” he said.
Advocates accuse ICE, DHS and U.S. Customs and Border Protection of violating detainees’ Fifth Amendment right to due process and First Amendment right to legal counsel and have asked the court to force the agencies to improve conditions at the facility.
There are lawyers for months Concerns have been raised about conditions at the facility, which has been the subject of scrutiny from members of Congress, political candidates and activist groups. Lawyers and relatives of people held at the facility said the facility was a de facto detention center, where up to 200 people were held at a time without access to legal counsel.
DHS has previously denied the allegations and said those detained at the facility have access to appropriate meals, medical treatment and communication with family members and attorneys.
The Broadview center also hosted demonstrations that led to the arrest of numerous protesters. The protests are at the center of a separate lawsuit filed by a coalition of news organizations and protesters who claim federal agents repeatedly violated their First Amendment rights. tear gas and other weapons on them.
US District Judge Sara Ellis Earlier this month, he sided with the coalition, requiring federal agents in the Chicago area to wear badges and banning them from using some riot control techniques against peaceful protesters and journalists. Later, Ellis required body cameras for agencies who owns them After expressing concern that his initial order was not being followed.
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This story has been corrected to show that the lawsuit does not allege conditions of torture.
