Overview
- In a Dec. 23 letter unsealed this week, the U.S. attorney said ICE will transfer all detainees out of the Central Islip holding room each evening and cap stays at 12 hours, except in rare emergencies.
- Judge Gary R. Brown previously condemned the cell as cold, putrid and cramped, cited an open toilet and other violations of ICE standards, and said the agency filed demonstrably false documents.
- Federal officials told the court they have taken photographs of the holding room and will submit them under seal, while requesting until Jan. 23 to fully address the judge’s directives.
- The dispute stems from the detention of Erron Anthony Clarke, who was held overnight in the courthouse cell and later appeared by phone after being moved to Delaney Hall in Newark.
- Advocacy groups welcomed the limits but pressed the court to keep monitoring compliance, pointing to reporting that more than 100 people spent over 12 hours in the cells this year.