ICE Expands Presence in Notorious Brooklyn Jail

Rep. Dan Goldman visits MDC, finds nearly 200 ICE detainees held in two cell blocks

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is now holding immigrants in two different cell blocks inside the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC), a federal jail in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Rep. Dan Goldman, whose district encompasses the prison, visited the facility on Wednesday and learned that 191 people were being held as of that day in two cell blocks with a combined capacity of 248 detainees. This is nearly a fifth of the prison's overall capacity of 1,300 people.

Why it matters

The expansion of ICE's presence in the notorious MDC jail raises concerns about the treatment of immigrant detainees, who unlike criminal inmates, are not guaranteed access to attorneys or legal representation. Previous reports have described issues like frequent lockdowns, inedible food, and difficulty accessing medical care for detainees at the facility.

The details

ICE officials told Rep. Goldman, the first member of Congress to visit since the agency started housing immigrants there last summer, that 191 people were being held as of Wednesday afternoon in two cell blocks. While Goldman said he didn't encounter any major problems during his visit, federal lawsuits and interviews with recent detainees have described frequent lockdowns, poor food quality, and limited access to medical care. Several detainees, including those with HIV and severe dental issues, reported difficulties obtaining necessary medications and treatment.

  • ICE began holding immigrants at the MDC jail in June 2025.
  • Rep. Goldman visited the facility on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Rep. Dan Goldman

A U.S. Representative whose district encompasses the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn and who was the first lawmaker to visit the facility since it began detaining immigrants.

ICE

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency that is now holding immigrants in two cell blocks inside the Metropolitan Detention Center.

Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC)

A hulking federal jail in Sunset Park, Brooklyn that is the only federal lockup in New York City and houses notorious inmates, and has recently started holding ICE detainees.

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What they’re saying

“Even sleeping wasn't easy.”

— Anonymous 30-year-old from Guinea, Former MDC detainee

“It's suffering. That's what I went through there. People are suffering there.”

— Anonymous 30-year-old from Guinea, Former MDC detainee

“You're not alone, we're here with you.”

— Teachers and principal

What’s next

Rep. Goldman said he didn't know when ICE had opened the second block for its detainees, and a DHS spokesperson did not return a request for comment. The congressman plans to further investigate the expansion of ICE's presence at the MDC.

The takeaway

The expansion of ICE's footprint at the notorious MDC jail raises serious concerns about the treatment and conditions faced by immigrant detainees, who lack the same legal protections as criminal inmates. This case highlights the need for greater oversight and transparency around ICE detention facilities.