The Brian Lehrer Show Squalid Conditions at ICE's Manhattan Facility
Aug 14, 2025
Gwynne Hogan, a senior reporter for The City, shines a light on the dire conditions at ICE's Manhattan facility, where overcrowding and unsanitary living conditions are rampant. She discusses the recent federal court orders demanding improvements and shares harrowing personal testimonies from detainees. The conversation also explores challenges faced by Congress members in accessing the facility for oversight and local government concerns about federal accountability. Hogan's insights reveal a critical need for reform in the immigration system.
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Processing Floor Meant For Brief Layovers
- The 10th floor at 26 Federal Plaza is an ICE processing floor meant for short stays under 12 hours.
- Gwynne Hogan found stays spiked to days or more, with some people held over a week during recent enforcement surges.
Young Woman Held Without Menstrual Supplies
- A 19-year-old Ecuadorian student said she menstruated for five days without getting a pad and was covered in blood.
- Gwynne Hogan witnessed her release and described the affidavit that led to a judge ordering her release.
Court Order Dramatically Reduces Capacity
- The judge's temporary order requires 50 square feet per person and three meals daily, sharply cutting allowable capacity.
- Hogan notes past nights had up to ~170 people, far exceeding the new legal limit of about 36 people.