Judge sets ICE site visit to determine conditions
By: Michael Loria
USA Today
CHICAGO - When asked about nights at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility outside Chicago, Pablo Moreno Gonzalez hits his fist against his head and cries "it was to much, it was too much."
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Among issues the former detainee and others cited in courtroom testimony about conditions at the faculty were overflowing toilets, no way to clean themselves and nothing to eat beyond half-frozen Subway sandwiches. A federal judge out of the Northern District of Illinois responded on November 5 [2025] by ordering the Department of Homeland Security to improve conditions.
..... On November 13, [2025] another judge was set to visit the facility in Broadveiw, Illinois, a suburb 12 miles west of Chicago, to ensure court orders are being followed, U.S. Magistrate Judge Laura K. McNally on November 7 [2025] authorized attorneys who field a lawsuit to visit the site. McNally also planed ti visit, according to court filings.
..... "No one should be subjected to the treatment and conditions that individuals at Broadveiw are currently experiencing,' civil rights attorney Alexa Van Burunt said in a statement. The MacArthur Justice Center Illinois office director is representing Moreno Gonzalez and other detainees. "these are urgent and necessary measures to protect these detainees and preserve their basic human rights. Our democracy is no place for inhumane, unsafe detention conditions."
..... Van Brunt, attorney with the ACLU of Illinois and others field a lawsuit over conditions on behalf of Moreno Gonzalez and former detainee Felipe Agustin Zamacona. In response to testimony and court filings, U.S. District Judge Robert W. Gettleman issued a temporary restraining order compelling mitigation authorities to make improvements.
..... "It's a disturbing record. We don't want to treat people the way I've heard today [11/2/2025] people are being treated," Gettleman said after hearing hours of testimony.
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The facility is an immigration enforcement processing center where detainees are brought before being moved out of state. The site has became a focal point of immigration enforcement activity amid President Donald Trump's Operation Midway Blitz crackdown.
..... Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin has said over "3,000 illegal aliens, including rapists, murderers, and gang members" have been arrest in connection with the blitz. USA today has not been able to independently verify the criminal background or immigration status of detainees.
..... The site was designed to hold people for no more than 12 hours, but witnesses testified in court that detainees are being held for a long as 12 days.
..... DHS officials issued a statement defending conditions at the facility: "all detainees are provided with 3 meals a day, water, and have access to phones to communicate with their family members and lawyers. No one is denied access to proper medical care. Any claims there are sub prime conditions at Broadview ICE facility are FALSE."
..... Jana Brady, an attorney for the defendants, acknowledged the site is operating beyond its normal capacity but said "it's a learning curve" and authorities are working to improve conditions.