‘Like dogs’: Video appears to show migrants held in federal building in NYC
New video footage obtained by ABC News sheds light on the conditions inside a so-called “holding facility” for detained migrants located in a federal building in New York City. The videos, shared by a detainee with a local civic group and then provided to New York State Assembly member Catalina Cruz, were widely circulated by the New York Immigration Coalition in a recent press release.
According to Assemblywoman Cruz, the man who shared the video had been recently detained at an immigration hearing in New York City and was being held at the facility on the 10th floor of 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan’s Foley Square. To protect the man’s identity, the videos have been blurred, and the man’s voice has been altered by the civic group.
The video footage reveals a room with over a dozen individuals, some lying on the floor on thermal blankets, while others sit on benches. The filming individual also showcases two toilets that are minimally separated from the rest of the occupants by a waist-high wall.
In one part of the video, the man filming expresses his dismay in Spanish, stating, “Look how they have us, the situation that we’re in… like dogs in here.” He further adds, “The American dream. Immigration, 26 Federal Plaza.”
The New York Immigration Coalition, in a press release, asserts that the videos indicate the facility is being used as a detention center rather than a mere holding center, emphasizing the need for oversight by Congress.
Recent attempts by Congressmen Jerry Nadler and Dan Goldman to access the area inside the federal building where migrants were reportedly being held were thwarted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Goldman expressed frustration over the denial of access, questioning what authorities might be concealing.
DHS, however, maintains that migrants are only briefly processed at the facility before being transferred elsewhere. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin refuted claims of overcrowding or substandard conditions, asserting that detainees receive proper meals, medical care, and opportunities to communicate with family and legal representatives.
Immigrant advocates have raised concerns about minimal food provisions and unsanitary conditions at the facility, prompting Assemblywoman Cruz to condemn the situation as “extremely angering.” She criticized DHS for obstructing lawmaker visits, alleging a deliberate effort to hide human rights violations and instill fear and isolation among detainees.
Cruz emphasized the importance of fighting for the dignity and rights of individuals held at such facilities, advocating for access to basic necessities like food, medication, bedding, and sanitation facilities. She underscored the need for accountability and transparency in the treatment of migrants, urging action to ensure fair treatment and due process for all.
