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Elected officials press for access to 26 Federal Plaza and legal action after reports of detention conditions
Summary
Several state and city elected officials and their offices said they were denied access to the Tenth Floor detention facility at 26 Federal Plaza, some were briefly arrested while attempting inspections, and federal and local officials have sought judicial review and investigations into reported conditions.
Multiple elected officials and their staff reported attempts to inspect the Tenth Floor detention facility at 26 Federal Plaza and described new legal steps after reports of overcrowding and unsanitary conditions.
At the meeting, representatives from Congressman Dan Goldman’s office, Assemblymember Grace Lee and state senator offices described actions taken this week: 11 elected officials were arrested while attempting to access the Tenth Floor holding facility, according to a representative of state senator Brian Kavanaugh’s office. Betsy Schmidt, representing Congressman Goldman, said the congressman’s “No Secret Police Act” has reached 100 co‑sponsors and noted the congressman joined other members in suing the federal government after being denied access to detention centers, including 26 Federal Plaza.
Schmidt said a federal judge, she identified as Judge Kaplan, issued a temporary restraining order directing the federal government to address conditions alleged in filings regarding the Tenth Floor. “A judge … issued a temporary restraining order to force the Trump administration to address the horrifying conditions which we've been hearing about at 26 Federal Plaza on the Tenth Floor,” she said, describing reports of overcrowding and inadequate food and sanitation.
Assemblymember Deborah Glick and other local representatives urged constituents to report non‑emergency problems through channels that allow follow‑up; they also signaled legislative initiatives aimed at transparency and oversight. Congressman Goldman’s office and other local representatives said they will continue legal and oversight efforts and are seeking clarity about how to pursue lawsuits when officers cannot be identified (some ICE agents reportedly masked).
Why it matters: Access to detention facilities, the health and safety of detainees, and the ability of elected officials to inspect federal facilities are matters of public concern and oversight. Elected officials said they will pursue litigation and legislative changes to require better identification and access.
Next steps: Offices said they are continuing legal efforts and policy pushes including proposed federal bills to require ICE agents to identify themselves. Local offices said they will continue outreach and keep community boards and the public informed.
