On Thursday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Laura McNally and a small group visited the detention center followin an emergency ruling last week that required the Department of Homeland Security to improve conditions for detainees after it was accused in court of having poor conditions.
The small group included the judge and representatives from both the government and the plaintiffs, including the ACLU. The inspection started just before 11 a.m.m and their goal was to see what it's like inside.
DHS has denied any claims that there are subprime conditions at the Broadview facility.
RELATED | Father of cancer patient says he endured 'inhumane conditions' at Broadview ICE facility: EXCLUSIVE
The ICE facility in Broadview is solely a processing center, so people are not supposed to be held here for an extended period of time.
In court, a government attorney acknowledged the facility is operating beyond its capacity and blamed Illinois law for overcrowding, citing the TRUST Act.
SEE ALSO | Hundreds detained by immigration agents in 'Midway Blitz' could be released after judge's order
It was unclear if the judge allowed attorneys to have brief conversations with people being detained.
DHS responded to ABC7, saying, "All detainees are provided with three meals a day, water, and have access to phones to communicate with their family members and lawyers. No one is denied access to proper medical care."
The legal team in Moreno Gonzalez v. Noem issued a statement Thursday evening after the inspection, saying, "We are grateful that the court gave us an opportunity to inspect the Broadview facility. We remain committed to ensuring that any detainees at Broadview are treated with dignity, have access to counsel, and are provided due process. We will reserve detailed observations for our legal filings and presentations in the weeks ahead. We encourage anyone detained at Broadview and lawyers facing complications communicating with their clients at the facility to let us know about problems at the facility."
READ ALSO | Group of 14 'suburban moms' among 16 arrested during protests outside Broadview ICE facility