Federal Judge Issues Restraining Order for Broadview ICE Facility Conditions

In a landmark decision that has drawn nationwide attention, U.S. District Judge Robert W. Gettleman issued a temporary restraining order on November 5, 2025, mandating immediate improvements to conditions at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Broadview, Illinois. The ruling comes after harrowing testimony from detainees who described what the judge called "unnecessarily cruel" conditions at the suburban Chicago facility.

Understanding the Court Order

The federal judge's decision followed six hours of testimony and arguments that painted a disturbing picture of life inside the Broadview ICE facility. Judge Gettleman stated unequivocally: "People shouldn't be sleeping next to overflowing toilets. They should not be sleeping on top of each other." His temporary restraining order, which remains in effect until November 19, 2025, establishes 15 specific requirements that federal authorities must meet to ensure constitutional standards are maintained.

What Detainees Testified About Facility Conditions

Five former Broadview detainees took the stand Tuesday, providing credible testimony that moved the court to action. Their accounts revealed a facility operating far beyond its intended capacity and purpose. Originally designed to hold individuals for no more than 12 hours during processing, the Broadview center has become a de facto detention center where some migrants have been held for multiple days.

Detainees described sleeping on concrete floors and plastic chairs with only thin plastic blankets for warmth. They testified about overflowing toilets surrounded by human waste, lack of access to showers for days at a time, and insufficient food and water. Multiple witnesses became emotional on the stand, with some breaking down in tears as they recounted their experiences. Judge Gettleman found these witnesses "highly credible," which proved instrumental in his decision to issue the restraining order.

Key Requirements Mandated by the Court

The temporary restraining order establishes comprehensive standards that ICE must immediately implement at the Broadview facility. These requirements address basic human needs and constitutional rights:

Sanitary and Living Conditions

• Clean bedding mats and sufficient sleeping space for overnight detainees
• Hold rooms must be cleaned at least twice daily
• Showers provided at minimum every other day
• Clean, functional toilet facilities
• Adequate supplies of soap, towels, toilet paper, toothbrushes, and toothpaste
• Menstrual products for female detainees
• Prescribed medications must be provided and properly stored

Food and Water Standards

• Three full meals per day meeting U.S. recommended dietary allowances
• Bottled water with each meal and upon request, free of charge

Legal Access and Communication Rights

• Free, private phone calls with attorneys
• Protection of attorney-client privilege
• List of pro bono attorneys provided in English and Spanish upon arrival
• Interpreter services as necessary
• Immediate listing on ICE's Online Detainee Locator System
• Spanish translations of all documents provided to detainees
• Prohibition against misrepresenting document contents

Government Response and Controversy

The Department of Homeland Security pushed back against characterizations of the facility conditions. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated: "Any claims there are subprime conditions at the Broadview ICE facility are false. All detainees are provided with three meals a day, water, and have access to phones to communicate with their family members and lawyers."

Government attorneys argued during the hearing that Illinois's TRUST Act contributes to overcrowding by preventing the transfer of detainees to county or state facilities. Assistant U.S. State's Attorney Jana Brady contended that "granting this TRO currently would halt the government's ability to enforce immigration laws in Illinois."

Judge Gettleman, however, concluded that "the government has gotten itself into a jam by rounding up as many people as they have without having facilities to maintain them at." He emphasized that his order attempts to balance operational realities with constitutional requirements.

The Missing Video Evidence Raises Questions

A controversial aspect of the case involves approximately 10 days of missing video footage from the facility. Plaintiffs' attorneys requested surveillance video spanning from October 19 to October 31—precisely when their clients were detained at Broadview. Government lawyers explained the footage was accidentally deleted while attempting to retrieve video for a different lawsuit.

Alexa Van Brunt, director of the MacArthur Justice Center's Illinois office and lead attorney for the plaintiffs, called the missing footage "pretty wild" and "suspect," noting that video evidence would be "essential" given the lack of independent inspections of the facility.

What Happens Next

Federal authorities have until noon on Friday, November 8, 2025, to provide Judge Gettleman with a comprehensive status report detailing their compliance efforts. The court will hold another hearing on November 19 to determine whether to extend, modify, or lift the temporary restraining order.

The plaintiffs had initially requested even more sweeping restrictions, including specific capacity limits for holding rooms, more frequent cleaning schedules, and permission to conduct regular inspections with experts and photographers. They also sought a provision that would prohibit holding any detainee for more than 12 hours if their proposed conditions couldn't be met within three days. However, these additional measures were not included in Judge Gettleman's final order.

Broader Context of Immigration Enforcement

The Broadview facility situation reflects larger tensions in immigration enforcement policy. The facility has become a focal point for protests and demonstrations, with activists and community members gathering outside regularly since the Trump administration intensified immigration enforcement operations in the Chicago area. The building's windows have been boarded up in recent weeks, further isolating detainees from the outside world.

This case represents a class-action lawsuit, meaning the court's decision could impact not just the current plaintiffs but all individuals detained at the Broadview facility under similar conditions. Legal experts suggest the ruling could set precedents for how other short-term processing facilities are operated during periods of increased immigration enforcement.

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This case highlights critical issues about human rights, immigration policy, and constitutional protections. If you found this article informative, please share it with your network to raise awareness about detention conditions and immigrants' rights. Knowledge is power, and informed citizens are essential to ensuring accountability in our immigration system.

Last updated: November 6, 2025. This is a developing story, and conditions may change as the case progresses through federal court.