Attorney General Letitia James takes legal action to stop the unsafe and inhumane detention of immigrants being held for days inside the federal field office at 26 Federal Plaza in New York City

New York – New York Attorney General Letitia James is moving to confront what she describes as the unlawful and dangerous treatment of immigrants detained by federal officials in Manhattan. In a forceful legal filing, James is urging a federal court to intervene and stop Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from keeping people in unsafe and degrading conditions at its New York field office at 26 Federal Plaza.

The attorney general submitted an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit filed by detainees who say they have been confined in overcrowded, unsanitary rooms for days at a time. These rooms, located inside the federal office building in downtown Manhattan, were never meant to be used for long-term detention. Until earlier this summer, ICE’s own guidelines capped the use of such holding areas at 12 hours. Recent reports, however, show that men, women, and even children have been confined there for multiple days under conditions that lawyers and advocates describe as cruel and unlawful.

“The abhorrent treatment of immigrants at 26 Federal Plaza is illegal and it must stop,” said Attorney General James. “No one should be held in horrendous conditions for days in unfit and unsafe facilities. I am urging the court to order the federal government to follow the law and improve conditions for anyone detained there.”

Allegations of Unsafe Conditions

The lawsuit filed by detainees outlines disturbing details. People arrested at 26 Federal Plaza — some after attending court hearings, others after routine check-ins — report being placed in small rooms with little space to move and only a single toilet and sink available. They are given no beds or sleeping mats, forcing them to rest on cold floors. Meals are limited to twice a day, and overnight medical staff are absent. Attorneys and family members are not allowed to visit, cutting detainees off from support during what can be a frightening and confusing ordeal.

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One of the most alarming cases involved a seven-year-old girl arrested alongside her mother and brother in May. Her story, advocates argue, shows just how reckless ICE’s new detention practices have become. Families who arrive at 26 Federal Plaza expecting to attend scheduled hearings or check-ins now face the risk of immediate detention, sometimes without warning or explanation.

A Shift in Federal Policy

The problems stem from changes to ICE guidelines in June. Before then, the agency’s official rules limited field office holding to short-term confinement. But with the updated guidance, federal officers began placing large numbers of people in these temporary rooms for extended stays. According to recent reporting, hundreds have already been held for several days at a time.

These arrests are not limited to people with criminal records or pending deportation orders. They include students, small business owners, and wage-earning workers whose absence destabilizes families and communities. As Attorney General James and others point out, sudden detentions can cause families to lose critical income, leaving them unable to cover rent, food, utilities, or health care. In some cases, children whose parents are taken into custody face the risk of entering foster care.

Impact on the Community

Beyond the personal toll, advocates warn of broader economic damage. New York City’s undocumented immigrant population makes up close to one in 20 workers and contributes about $6.7 billion annually in state and federal taxes. Removing workers from jobs for days or weeks at a time interrupts businesses, disrupts communities, and strains social services.

Attorney General James argues that subjecting people to prolonged confinement in unsafe conditions not only violates legal standards but also weakens the city’s stability. She maintains that the federal government has a responsibility to enforce immigration laws in ways that respect human dignity and public safety.

Call for Court Action

In her brief, James is asking the court to grant a preliminary injunction — a legal order that would require ICE to immediately stop its current detention practices at 26 Federal Plaza. If granted, the injunction would likely force ICE to revert to its earlier 12-hour policy or develop safer alternatives for those arrested in New York.

“The court must step in now to stop ongoing harm,” her office emphasized. The filing stresses that the federal government cannot operate above the law and that all individuals, regardless of immigration status, deserve to be treated humanely while in custody.

A Growing Debate

The dispute comes at a time of heightened tension over immigration enforcement nationwide. In New York, where immigrant communities play a central role in cultural and economic life, the arrests at 26 Federal Plaza have sparked outrage. Advocacy groups have staged protests outside the building, holding signs and calling for accountability. Local leaders have echoed Attorney General James’s position, saying the federal government must reform its detention practices.

While the lawsuit filed by detainees is still moving through the courts, the attorney general’s brief adds the weight of the state’s top law office to their case. Legal experts say that involvement by the state could significantly strengthen the push for court intervention.

Looking Ahead

For now, the situation at 26 Federal Plaza remains uncertain. Immigrants who arrive for court dates or check-ins still face the possibility of arrest and confinement in the holding rooms. Families continue to navigate the fear that a loved one could be detained for days in poor conditions with little recourse.

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Attorney General James has made it clear that she intends to keep pressing the issue until change is secured. With the amicus brief, she is not only siding with the plaintiffs but also sending a broader message: that New York will not stand by while immigrants are subjected to treatment that she describes as both “abhorrent” and unlawful.

As the court considers the request for an injunction, the outcome will determine whether ICE must immediately alter its practices in New York City. For the hundreds already affected and the many more at risk, the decision could bring long-awaited relief — or continued uncertainty inside the locked rooms of 26 Federal Plaza.