Mayor Adams calls for inspection of Manhattan ICE holding facility due to increased immigration enforcement under Trump administration.

Mayor Eric Adams has formally requested an immediate inspection of the 10th floor of 26 Federal Plaza by the federal General Services Administration (GSA) following mounting concerns over the treatment of asylum seekers in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This request arises amidst Media News Source reports detailing inhumane conditions faced by individuals detained at the facility.

Adams referenced alarming footage and news stories that depict asylum seekers housed in distressing circumstances, including sleeping on makeshift beds made of emergency aluminum blankets near restroom facilities. These revelations have prompted skepticism regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) characterization of the site as merely a short-term processing center, rather than a detention facility.

The situation has intensified as ICE has ramped up its efforts to detain and deport migrants, which has been a hallmark of immigration policy under recent administrations. This trend has raised significant concern among advocates for human rights and immigrant welfare.

DHS has sought to delineate the distinction between processing and detention, suggesting that this rationale is the basis for restricting access to the facility for Congress members. However, publicly accessible data indicates that individuals are held at 26 Federal Plaza for an average of over four days, a point highlighted by Mayor Adams in his letter to Michael Rigas, the acting GSA administrator. The mayor emphasized the vital importance of transparency and accountability, particularly concerning the treatment of individuals under the jurisdiction of New York City.

Adams’ correspondence underscored the obligation of local and federal authorities to ensure that fundamental human rights are upheld within the city. He expressed concerns that the opaque nature of the facility’s operations is detrimental to public trust and compliance with constitutional standards.

Access to the 10th floor of 26 Federal Plaza has previously been denied to elected officials, including prominent Democratic representatives. Advocates for human rights have provided additional evidence of substandard conditions, including overcrowding, lack of access to medical care, and inadequate basic necessities, based on video documentation obtained from inside the facility.

Expressing counterarguments, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin contended that the site does not function as a detention center but rather as a temporary processing location. McLaughlin affirmed that detainees are entitled to proper meals, medical attention, and communication with family members and attorneys.

Despite these assertions, a notable survey indicates that a significant portion of detainees at 26 Federal Plaza since May has not been implicated in any criminal activities. Reports indicate that ICE operations have led to the apprehension of migrants appearing for court proceedings, raising alarm over tactics perceived as entrapment aimed at advancing deportation agendas.

In light of these developments, both local and national leaders continue to grapple with the implications of immigration enforcement policies and their impact on vulnerable populations seeking safety and asylum in the United States. The call for an inspection reflects broader societal concerns about accountability, transparency, and the humane treatment of all individuals under government supervision.