US Judge Orders ICE to Improve Conditions at New York Immigration Facility

A US federal judge, Lewis Kaplan, ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to improve conditions at New York City’s 26 Federal Plaza detention facility after reports of overcrowding, poor hygiene, and inadequate food. The temporary restraining order limits detainee capacity, mandates cleanliness, provides hygiene supplies, sleeping mats, and ensures confidential legal calls. The case began after Peruvian asylum seeker Sergio Barco Mercado described squalid conditions that worsened his health. Other detainees reported foul odors, inedible food, and lack of basic supplies. ICE acknowledged the need for humane conditions but downplayed overcrowding. The facility has become a flashpoint amid Trump-era immigration crackdowns.