A US federal judge on Wednesday ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide better conditions for detainees in a Chicago immigration facility.

Judge Robert Gettleman of the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois mandated that DHS comply with several hygiene-related requirements, ordering that cells be cleaned at least twice daily, clean toilet facilities, opportunities to shower at least every other day, and at least three meals a day that comply with US dietary standards, among other directives. He wrote:

Based on the record currently before it, the court finds that plaintiffs and members of the putative class have suffered, and are likely to suffer, irreparable harm absent the temporary relief granted herein, that they are likely to prevail on the merits of their claims, that the balance of the equities tips in their favor, and that the public interest lies in issuing a temporary restraining order to address the serious conditions demonstrated to exist at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) Broadview, Illinois facility.

The temporary restraining order follows a 76-page class action complaint filed last week, alleging the perpetration of “mass constitutional violations.” According to the complaint, detainees have been forced into overcrowded cells where they sleep in plastic chairs or on a “filthy concrete floor.”

Plaintiffs also claim that they cannot speak with their attorneys. Speaking on detention conditions, one immigration attorney said: “Broadview is a black hole. When my clients are there, I am unable to speak to them or contact them.”

DHS has publicly denied the egregious conditions at Broadview, maintaining that “[a]ny claims there are subprime conditions at the Broadview ICE facility are FALSE.” However, Justice Department Attorney Jana Brady admitted that there weren’t any beds at the facility because it was not intended as a long-term detention site, but rather a processing center.

While Judge Gettleman characterized individuals held at the facility as “civil detainees,” DHS asserted that “Broadview processes the worst of the worst, including pedophiles, gang members, and rapists.” The DHS website contains photos of individuals held at Broadview with captions listing the crimes they allegedly committed.

The order will remain in effect until November 19, when there will be a status hearing.