On the basis of a striking record and extensive briefing compiled by the Firm and our co-counsel the ACLU, NYCLU and Make the Road New York, Judge Lewis A. Kaplan issued a preliminary injunction ordering the continuation of the government’s obligation immediately to remedy the inhumane and unconstitutional conditions of confinement and denial of access to counsel for individuals detained at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, and provisionally certified the class of individuals who have or will be detained at 26 Federal Plaza for more than 12 hours. Building on the temporary restraining order previously issued by Judge Kaplan, the government is required to provide confidential attorney access to detained individuals, severely limit the permitted population of the rooms at the facility, provide basic necessities such as sleeping mats and hygiene products, and to otherwise remedy unsanitary conditions at 26 Fed, among other directives.
