CHICAGO – When asked about nights at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility outside the city, Pablo Moreno Gonzalez hits his fists against his head and cries "it was too much, it was too much."

Among issues the former detainee and others cited in courtroom testimony about conditions at the facility were overflowing toilets, no way to clean themselves and nothing to eat beyond half-frozen Subway sandwiches. A federal judge out of the Northern District of Illinois responded on Nov. 5 by ordering the Department of Homeland Security to improve conditions.

Now, on Nov. 13, another judge is set to visit the facility in Broadview, Illinois, a suburb 12 miles west of the city, to ensure court orders are being followed.

On Nov. 7, U.S. Magistrate Judge Laura K. McNally authorized attorneys who filed a lawsuit to visit the site. McNally also plans to visit, according to court filings.

"No one should be subjected to the treatment and conditions that individuals at Broadview are currently experiencing," civil rights attorney Alexa Van Brunt said in a statement. The MacArthur Justice Center Illinois office director is representing Moreno Gonzalez and other detainees. "These are urgent and necessary measures to protect these detainees and preserve their basic human rights. Our democracy is no place for inhumane, unsafe detention conditions."

Van Brunt, attorneys with the ACLU of Illinois and others filed a lawsuit over conditions on behalf of Moreno Gonzalez and former detainee Felipe Agustin Zamacona. In response to testimony and court filings, U.S. District Judge Robert W. Gettleman issued a temporary restraining order compelling immigration authorities to make improvements.

"It’s a disturbing record. We don't want to treat people the way I've heard today people are being treated," Gettleman said after hearing hours of testimony. "These are not convicted felons, these are civil detainees."

Homeland Security says reports of poor conditions are 'FALSE'

Homeland Security officials defend conditions at the facility: "All detainees are provided with 3 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. Any claims there are subprime conditions at the Broadview ICE facility are FALSE."

Jana Brady, an attorney for the defendants, acknowledged the site is operating beyond its normal capacity but said "it's a learning curve" and authorities are working to improve conditions, citing that officials are providing wipes to detainees so they can clean themselves.

In court filings from Nov. 10, Homeland Security lawyers say improvements at the site include "lights out" overnight and access to attorneys for detainees.

Detainees testified previously that lights were kept on overnight at the facility. Their lawyers say they still have trouble speaking with clients and have not been able to verify there is a "lights out" period or whether other court-mandated improvements have been implemented.

ICE facility at the heart of Midway Blitz crackdown

The facility is an immigration enforcement processing center where detainees are brought before being moved out of state. The site has become a focal point of immigration enforcement activity amid President Donald Trump’s Operation Midway Blitz crackdown.

Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin has said over "3,000 illegal aliens, including rapists, murderers, and gang members" have been arrested in connection with the blitz. USA TODAY has not been able to independently verify the criminal background or immigration status of detainees.

The site was designed to hold people for no more than 12 hours but witnesses testified in court that detainees are being held for as long as 12 days.

Gettleman, the judge presiding over the case, said from the bench on Nov. 4 that the facility "has really become a prison."

Anti-immigration enforcement protesters have targeted the site and called for it to be shut down following reports of poor conditions. Federal agents have deployed chemical agents on protesters and a Democratic Congressional candidate was indicted in connection with the protests.

Illinois State Police took over crowd control outside the site in early October. Dozens have been arrested at protests outside the facility since then, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Judge to visit Chicago ICE facility following reports of bad conditions

Reporting by Michael Loria, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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