A federal judge on Thursday ordered the government to immediately overhaul conditions at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, finding that detainees were likely to succeed on claims that the government violated their constitutional and disability rights. U.S. District Judge Sunshine S. Sykes granted a renewed motion for a preliminary injunction in a class-action lawsuit brought by detainees and immigrant advocacy groups, ordering the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to make sweeping changes to medical care, sanitation, food, recreation, disability accommodations and visitation while the litigation continues.
What changed
Judge Sykes ordered DHS and ICE to make sweeping changes to medical care, sanitation, food, recreation, disability accommodations and visitation at Adelanto. In her order, Sykes said the plaintiffs “have demonstrated they are likely to prevail — or at the least, raise serious questions — on the merits of their Fifth Amendment and Rehabilitation Act claims.”
The lawsuit, filed in January by Public Counsel, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Immigrant Defenders Law Center and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, alleged that immigration detainees are subjected to mold on walls, contagious diseases, a lack of medical care and a lack of clean water and food at Adelanto. Sykes in April denied an initial request for a preliminary injunction.
Why it matters
If you represent clients detained at Adelanto, this preliminary injunction establishes enforceable federal court oversight of facility conditions during the ongoing litigation. The judge found that plaintiffs are likely to prevail on Fifth Amendment and Rehabilitation Act violations, which strengthens arguments that the facility fails constitutional detention standards. The order remains in effect while the class-action case proceeds on the merits.
The ruling also clarifies that the government is responsible for the constitutional violations, not solely the private operator (GEO Group). This legal holding affects how DHS and ICE must oversee contractor-operated detention facilities going forward.
For advocates and practitioners, the court’s decision signals receptiveness to conditions-of-confinement claims and may support parallel challenges at other facilities.
Way forward
- Verify current conditions: If you have a client at Adelanto, confirm that the facility is implementing the injunction’s requirements for medical care, sanitation, food, hygiene, and disability accommodations.
- Document violations: If your client experiences conditions that appear to violate the preliminary injunction, document them in writing (dates, description, witnesses) for potential contempt proceedings.
- Communicate with facility: Contact Adelanto’s legal department or ICE’s Office of Detention Oversight if you identify apparent non-compliance.
- Monitor litigation: Follow the ongoing class-action case at the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California to understand how the injunction is enforced and what final relief may be ordered.
Disclaimer
This article is not legal advice. Folaform is a software company, not a law firm. Please consult a licensed immigration attorney or accredited representative about your specific situation. Immigration policy and court orders can change without notice; verify this article’s content against the primary court order and the ongoing litigation record.