The Brian Lehrer Show Immigrants Allege 'Inhumane' Conditions at Manhattan Holding Sites
Jul 14, 2025
Arya Sundaram, a race and immigration reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, reveals horrifying details about the inhumane conditions at the ICE facility in Lower Manhattan, citing overcrowding and lack of basic necessities. U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat shares his firsthand experience visiting the site, highlighting the obstacles lawmakers face in accessing these federal holding rooms. Together, they discuss the urgent need for transparency and accountability in immigration enforcement, emphasizing the human rights implications of current practices.
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Harsh Reality of 26 Federal Plaza
- The 26 Federal Plaza holding rooms resemble sparsely furnished office spaces with concrete benches and no beds.
- Detainees endure overcrowding, lack of showers, and minimal privacy for days in these non-traditional detention areas.
Extended Stays Against ICE Rules
- Immigrants are often held at 26 Federal Plaza far beyond ICE's 12-hour maximum, with stays sometimes reaching up to 10 days.
- Overcrowding and extended detention challenge ICE's classification of the site as merely a processing center.
Severe Overcrowding at the Facility
- The facility fluctuates in population, sometimes holding up to 100 people in a room roughly 16 by 33 feet.
- Such overcrowding pushes the center to or beyond capacity, worsening living conditions.
