A federal judge found ICE's Baltimore holding cells overcrowded and unsanitary, then found in September 2026 that ICE had violated her order
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What happened
On March 6, 2026, U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin (D. Md.) issued a preliminary injunction finding conditions at ICE's Baltimore hold rooms unconstitutional under the Fifth Amendment. The five cells were capped at 56 people; testimony showed up to 123 held on June 15, 2025. The order requires medical screening within 12 hours of arrival, daily cleaning, hygiene supplies, prescription medication within 24 hours, and written compliance procedures within 60 days. DHS disputed the findings, saying detainees are provided food, water, blankets and hygiene products. On September 28, 2026, Rubin found ICE had violated the order, calling compliance a 'spectacular failure', citing overcrowding in at least one cell 67% of the time, and ordered biweekly certifications; the parties were to brief whether to appoint a special master.
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