Detainees awaiting deportation in Minnesota have come forward with harrowing accounts of the conditions inside a federal building, alleging severe mistreatment and a lack of basic humanity. Those held in the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis claim they have been denied adequate food, medical care, and access to due process, sparking outrage and legal action.
Allegations of Inhumane Treatment and Overcrowding
According to reports, individuals detained as part of a White House crackdown on immigration have faced abhorrent conditions in a facility not designed for long-term detention. One former detainee, a legal refugee with a pending green card application, described being shackled at the ankles and confined in a locked bathroom with three men. The room reportedly lacked bedding or pillows and had a non-functional sink.
Detainees allege they were fed only one sandwich per day, leading to malnutrition and health issues. In one distressing account, a woman was moved to another locked bathroom where guards ignored her requests for menstrual products and medical care, even as she experienced dizziness and vomiting. She stated through a translator, "There was no humanity," highlighting the emotional and physical toll of the ordeal.
Overcrowding and Legal Access Denied
Overcrowding has forced detainees to take turns lying down in their cells, exacerbating the already dire situation. Additionally, many have been largely unable to access their rights to legal counsel. One refugee reported being held overnight at the Whipple Building before being flown to Houston without notifying his attorney. After nearly a week, he was released without his identification, only to be returned to Minnesota with the help of a nonprofit organisation.
These allegations are part of an ongoing class-action lawsuit filed by Advocates for Human Rights, which claims detainees have faced violent arrests, extreme overcrowding, and constant shackling. The lawsuit argues that the Department of Homeland Security is blocking access to legal counsel, preventing detainees from seeking freedom. In a particularly concerning case, a St. Paul woman with a pending asylum claim and significant medical needs, including recent cranial surgery, was allegedly unable to consult with her attorney while detained.
Government Response and Broader Context
Federal agencies have disputed these accounts, with an ICE spokesperson stating, "Ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of individuals in our custody is a top priority at ICE. ICE has higher detention standards than most U.S. prisons that hold actual U.S. citizens." The Department of Homeland Security also denied allegations of limited attorney access, asserting that detainees have phone access and receive lists of free or low-cost attorneys, with all receiving full due process.
However, these claims in Minnesota align with broader evidence of poor conditions in detention centres nationwide, as the Trump administration's push for unprecedented deportations strains the system. In a recent hearing, a Department of Justice attorney openly criticised the current immigration apparatus, stating, "The system sucks," and expressing frustration over court orders to release wrongfully detained migrants swiftly.
National Implications and Legal Scrutiny
The Trump administration has faced multiple lawsuits and court scrutiny over detention conditions in enforcement hotspots like Chicago and New York City. A Guardian investigation found that an estimated 32 people died in ICE custody in 2025, marking the agency's deadliest year in over two decades. This underscores the urgent need for reform and accountability in immigration detention practices.
As the class-action lawsuit progresses, advocates continue to call for transparency and humane treatment for all detainees, emphasising that such conditions violate fundamental human rights and legal standards.
