Goldman Finds More ICE Detention Facilities at Federal Plaza

Congressman inspects building, says DHS is defying court orders and the law

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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U.S. Representative Dan Goldman inspected 26 Federal Plaza in New York City on Thursday, days after a federal attorney admitted that ICE agents have been detaining immigrants on multiple floors of the structure. Goldman found numerous jail cells on the 9th floor, as well as 8 detainees on the 10th floor, despite a court order barring DHS from overcrowding the 10th floor. Goldman accused DHS of misleading him and violating the law by not disclosing the additional detention facilities.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about ICE detention practices and the federal government's compliance with court orders. The revelations at 26 Federal Plaza raise questions about transparency, oversight, and whether DHS is systematically circumventing legal restrictions on its detention activities.

The details

During his inspection, Goldman found four small jail cells on the 9th floor, as well as processing computers, though the cells were unoccupied at the time. On the 10th floor, he found 7 men and 1 woman being detained, including one man who had been in the U.S. for 23 years. This contradicts a previous court order that barred DHS from overcrowding the 10th floor after a video showed squalid conditions. Goldman accused DHS of misleading him and violating the law by not disclosing the additional detention facilities on other floors.

  • On February 9, a federal judge questioned prosecutors about detainees being held on other floors of 26 Federal Plaza.
  • On February 12, Congressman Dan Goldman inspected the 9th and 10th floors of 26 Federal Plaza.

The players

Dan Goldman

U.S. Representative who inspected 26 Federal Plaza and accused DHS of violating the law.

Alberto Morales

Assistant Field Office Director who allowed Goldman access to inspect the 9th floor.

Jeffrey Oestericher

Federal prosecutor who admitted in court that ICE agents were detaining immigrants on multiple floors of 26 Federal Plaza.

Kristi Noem

Homeland Security Secretary whom Goldman criticized for DHS's repeated violations of the law.

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What they’re saying

“The detention facilities here at 26 Federal Plaza have been determined by a court to be subject to my oversight, and by misleading me, if not lying to me, they are interfering with my oversight and breaking the law.”

— Dan Goldman, U.S. Representative (amNewYork)

“My concern is that this is another admission in court that ICE is not following the law. This is happening all over the country. We had a judge in Minneapolis documenting 96 different occasions when ICE is not following the law, there has to be accountability for violating the law.”

— Dan Goldman, U.S. Representative (amNewYork)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether to hold DHS in contempt of court for violating the previous order restricting detention on the 10th floor.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in holding the federal government accountable for its immigration enforcement practices, even in the face of clear court orders. It underscores the need for robust oversight and consequences for agencies that repeatedly defy the law.