Overview
- U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman heard testimony about crowded cells, overflowing toilets, scant food and water, and restricted attorney access at ICE’s Broadview site, calling aspects “disgusting” and “obviously unconstitutional.”
- Gettleman adjourned without a ruling and set proceedings to resume Wednesday afternoon, with plaintiffs seeking a temporary restraining order to impose basic standards on space, hygiene, bedding, phone access and cleaning schedules.
- DHS and DOJ dispute the claims, asserting detainees receive three meals, water, phone access and medical care, and argue Broadview is a short-term processing center where conditions have been improving.
- In a separate case, U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis opens a preliminary injunction hearing Wednesday on alleged excessive force during Operation Midway Blitz, with plaintiffs set to present portions of Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino’s deposition and multiple body-camera videos.
- Ellis previously ordered visible IDs, body cameras and limits on certain crowd-control tactics; the 7th Circuit blocked her bid for daily briefings from Bovino as plaintiffs allege misrepresentations about tear gas deployments and the government defends agents’ responses to violent protests.