After a judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s restrictions on congressional visits to immigration facilities, four Illinois Democrats stepped into the ICE processing center in suburban Broadview on Monday.
The First Visit
U.S. Reps. Danny Davis, Delia Ramirez, Jonathan Jackson and Jesús “Chuy” Garcia entered the boarded-up brick building after speaking with a masked official at the door and left about an hour later. Garcia said, “We wanted to test whether or not there would be a violation of a court order reaffirming that we have the right to be here at any time for any reason, without advance notice.”
The lawmakers reported that Monday only two people were in custody, compared to 20 the day before, according to Garcia.
Background of the Facility
The ICE center has been criticized as a de-facto detention facility with inhumane conditions and has been a focal point of an immigration crackdown that produced more than 4,000 arrests in the Chicago area. During the height of Operation Midway Blitz, more than 150 people were held there, many for several days. Complaints, a lawsuit and a court-ordered visit by a judge prompted changes: those held now receive hot meals and legal counsel, among other improvements. ICE maintains that the center is used for processing, not detention.
Concerns Raised
Despite improvements, the Illinois Democrats noted ongoing issues. There are toilets without adequate privacy, few showers, and no medical staff on site. Jackson warned, “This visit will not end our responsibility. We will follow up. We will be back and we’ll demand answers.”
Ramirez expressed concern over the lack of medical professionals, especially after the death of a 56-year-old man found unresponsive at an ICE facility in Michigan. The case of Nenko Gantchev, a Bulgarian arrested in the Chicago area crackdown, remains under investigation; ICE officials said he died of natural causes on Dec. 15.
Other Congressional Visits
Since the ruling, members across the country have toured ICE facilities. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (Illinois) visited Broadview on Friday and noted that the practice of holding people overnight seemed to have ended for the time being. In California, Rep. Jimmy Gomez visited a downtown Los Angeles facility and reported no working kitchen, no on-site medical staff and limited food options. In New York, Reps. Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat visited an ICE holding facility at 26 Federal Plaza and said immigrants were held for up to three days without showers or proper beds. Espaillat remarked, “The Trump administration’s obsession with hitting an arbitrary – and unrealistic – number of deportations is creating a humanitarian crisis.”
Ongoing Restrictions and Reactions
The Trump administration has maintained strict controls over the Broadview center, barring attorneys, family members, and journalists. At one point federal authorities erected a fence around the building amid protests and clashes with agents. Rep. Lauren Underwood visited the facility late last month and raised concerns about conditions, staffing and record keeping; she noted that no arrestees were present during her visit because a scheduled security-system video-camera update was underway. A message left Monday for ICE has not yet been returned.
Key Takeaways
- First congressional visit to Broadview after judge lifts restrictions.
- Improvements include hot meals and legal counsel, but toilets, showers and medical staff remain inadequate.
- Other lawmakers nationwide have inspected ICE sites, highlighting similar concerns.
The visit underscores the ongoing debate over ICE’s operations and the need for continued oversight.
