ICE Agrees to Inform NYC Detainees of Their Rights

Settlement reached to improve conditions and access to counsel for immigrants detained at NYC immigration courthouse

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Immigration enforcement officials have agreed to inform noncitizens detained in New York City's immigration courthouse of their right to legal counsel and allow them to make confidential calls to their attorneys. The agreement, signed by a federal judge, resolves concerns that ICE was not complying with a previous court order to improve conditions at the detention facility located at 26 Federal Plaza.

Why it matters

This settlement aims to ensure that immigrants detained by ICE in New York City have access to their legal rights and representation, which is critical for protecting their due process. The agreement comes after ongoing litigation over poor conditions and lack of access to counsel at the 26 Federal Plaza detention center.

The details

Under the agreement, ICE officials will be required to inform detainees of their right to legal counsel, allow them to make confidential calls to their attorneys, and improve overall conditions at the 26 Federal Plaza facility. The settlement resolves a class-action lawsuit filed by detainees alleging that ICE was not complying with a previous court order to enhance access to legal representation and improve the facility.

  • The agreement was signed on Monday, March 2, 2026 by Judge Lewis A. Kaplan of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.
  • In September 2025, a preliminary injunction was issued requiring ICE to improve conditions at the 26 Federal Plaza detention center.

The players

Judge Lewis A. Kaplan

A federal judge for the US District Court for the Southern District of New York who signed off on the agreement between the government and the class of detainee plaintiffs.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal immigration enforcement agency that operates the detention facility at 26 Federal Plaza in New York City and agreed to the settlement terms.

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What’s next

The judge will monitor ICE's compliance with the terms of the agreement to ensure detainees' rights and access to counsel are upheld at the 26 Federal Plaza facility.

The takeaway

This settlement represents an important step in upholding the legal rights of immigrants detained by ICE in New York City, following ongoing concerns about poor conditions and lack of access to counsel at the 26 Federal Plaza detention center.