![\"A](\"https:\/\/newspack-missionlocal.s3.amazonaws.com\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/cropped-IMG_3874.jpeg\")
by\u00a0Sage R\u00edos Mace<\/a><\/strong>November 25, 2025 (MissionLocal. com)<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/newspack-missionlocal.s3.amazonaws.com\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/46D12172-A67C-49F7-90F7-EBF2E0496F7FIMG_9588-780x585.jpg\")
On Tuesday evening, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California issued a preliminary injunction<\/a> requiring the Department of Justice to improve the conditions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding cells in San Francisco. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That order came in response to a lawsuit<\/a>, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and other groups who, earlier this month, argued in front of a federal judge that conditions inside the holding cells at 630 Sansome St.<\/a> are so poor they violate immigrants\u2019 constitutional rights<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The 51-page order<\/a> written by Judge Casey Pitts found an \u201cestablished likelihood\u201d that the \u201cchallenged conditions at 630 Sansome are unconstitutionally punitive in nature.\u201d Under the preliminary injunction, the ICE facility must be brought up to acceptable standards \u2014 meaning that detainees must have mattresses, blankets, hygiene materials, prompt medical attention, and other basic necessities, effective immediately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Want the latest on the Mission and San Francisco? Sign up for our free daily newsletter<\/strong> below.Sign up<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marissa Hatton, a senior staff attorney at Lawyers\u2019 Committee for Civil Rights, said the decision is \u201ca powerful affirmation of their humanity and a critical check on the rule of law.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hatton\u2019s co-council Nisha Kashyap, also a senior staff attorney, added: \u201cWe will be monitoring closely to make sure that ICE is complying to ensure that is is following its constitutional obligations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The court did, however, maintain that ICE can legally keep immigrants in holding cells for up to three days at a time \u2014 an abrupt increase from the 12 hour rule<\/a> that was the norm until June of this year. The court did so with the reasoning that the preliminary injunction will bring the conditions up to its constitutional obligations, Kashyap said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ruling also certifies the lawsuit as a class action, which means that anyone detained there could theoretically join forces and sue the Department of Justice for damages. Attorneys involved in the case say they expect a final injunction before the end of the year. The next hearing, scheduled for Dec. 9, will determine whether the suit against ICE\u2019s nationwide practice of courthouse arrests can move forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since late May, Mission Local has tracked 129 arrests<\/a> of asylum-seekers and immigrants at the San Francisco immigration court houses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We have a big year-end goal: <\/strong>$300,000 by Dec. 31. Thanks to generous donors, every dollar donated up to $76,500<\/strong> will be doubled!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s more important than ever that everyone<\/em> has access to news that reports, explains and keeps them informed. Paywalls don\u2019t serve anyone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your support makes it possible <\/em>for Mission Local\u2019s content to be forever free \u2014 for everyone<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n about:blank<\/p>\n\n\n\n Donate<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n sage@missionlocal.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n I’m covering immigration for Mission Local and got my start in journalism with El Tecolote. Most recently, I completed a long-term investigation for El Centro de Periodismo Investigativo in San Juan, PR and I am excited to see where journalism takes me next. Off the clock, I can be found rollerblading through Golden Gate Park or reading under the trees with my cat, Mano.More by Sage R\u00edos Mace<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The court order finds \u201clikelihood\u201d that conditions at at 630 Sansome are \u201cunconstitutionally punitive\u201d by\u00a0Sage R\u00edos MaceNovember 25, 2025 (MissionLocal. com) On Tuesday evening, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California issued a preliminary injunction requiring the Department of Justice to improve the conditions of Immigration and Customs… Continue reading ![\"Mission](\"https:\/\/newspack-missionlocal.s3.amazonaws.com\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/mission-local-logo-300x300.jpg\"){kind=logo}
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Back](\"https:\/\/cdn.broadstreetads.com\/assets\/278cc7bd-fdea-4cea-b1cf-b8d2175b0646.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Three](\"https:\/\/newspack-missionlocal.s3.amazonaws.com\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ML-Fundraising-2025-3-930x620.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nKeep Mission Local free\u2014match your gift today!<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Latest on Immigration enforcement<\/mark><\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"S.F.](\"https:\/\/newspack-missionlocal.s3.amazonaws.com\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/6916EB30-DDDA-48E8-B8A4-BEBCD5A319EEIMG_0589-1200x900.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nS.F. packs court for case against ending Temporary Protected Status<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"S.F.](\"https:\/\/newspack-missionlocal.s3.amazonaws.com\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_0150-1200x900.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nS.F. attorneys ask judge to halt extended detentions in ICE holding cells<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Hundreds](\"https:\/\/newspack-missionlocal.s3.amazonaws.com\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_9590-1200x900.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHundreds of S.F. immigration cases were paused for decades. Trump tried to revive them.<\/a><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sage R\u00edos Mace<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n