Lawsuit Alleges Deplorable Conditions at Illinois ICE Facility
BROADVIEW, Ill. – A lawsuit filed Thursday alleges severe mistreatment and inhumane conditions at an immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broadview, Illinois, with detainees claiming they are being “warehoused” for days without adequate food, water, medical care, or sanitation.
The suit details allegations of overcrowding, with dozens of people reportedly sleeping on plastic chairs or concrete floors for weeks. Detainees are allegedly denied access to menstrual products and clean clothing, and bathrooms lack privacy, exposing both men and women while using the toilet. Temperatures within the facility are described as extreme, with limited access to blankets or warm clothing. The lawsuit further claims detainees are not receiving medical screenings and are being denied access to prescription medications brought by family members.
These claims echo concerns previously raised by experts, as reported by USA TODAY.
According to the lawsuit, immigration authorities are currently holding people at the Broadview facility “for days on end.”
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s spokesperson, Ian McLaughlin, vehemently denied the allegations, stating, “Any claims there are subprime conditions at the Broadview ICE facility are false.” McLaughlin asserted that adequate food, water, privacy, and medical care are provided, and that detainees have access to communication with family and legal counsel. He also stated the facility is not intended for long-term detention.
“Some of the worst of the worst including pedophiles, gang members, and rapists have been processed through the facility in recent weeks,” McLaughlin added. “The ACLU should just change its name. it’s clear they only care about criminal illegal aliens-not Americans.”
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is representing the plaintiffs in the lawsuit.
This case comes amid ongoing scrutiny of ICE detention centers and immigration enforcement practices. In a related incident, U.S. Congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh was recently indicted for her involvement in protests against ICE in Chicago, according to a USA TODAY report from October 29, 2025.
