Photographs exposing the unsanitary conditions within Arizona immigration detention facilities were released last week as part of a lawsuit against U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Tucson federal judge David Bury dismissed CBP concerns as vague, ordering defense lawyers to present a more specific argument as to why photos and documents should be sealed. The images showed a worn-down water fountain, used toilet paper cluttered in a corner, and a broken drinking fountain installed directly over a toilet.

"Border Patrol's treatment of men, women and children in its custody is simply inexcusable and their lack of transparency shows their desire to avoid any public oversight or accountability," said Mary Kenney, senior staff attorney for the American Immigration Council via press release.

The AIC joined other immigration advocacy groups in filing the class-action lawsuit on behalf of three immigrants. They allege that holding cells were "filthy and littered" and smelled of excrement; Border Patrol agents reportedly kept inmates in frigid temperatures, despite calls for clothes and blankets to keep children warm.

According to National Immigration Law Center attorney Nora Preciado, the CBP is stripping detainees of the constitutional rights meant to protect people regardless of their citizenship status.

"They are not receiving due process while they are being housed in detention. Basically, we have precedent for this," Preciado told RT. "In other instances where civil detainees are held in similar conditions, the courts have said, 'You can't make people sleep on the ground' [and] 'You can't keep people without a clean facility, not provide them adequate food, water, basic things such as soap, access to showers."

Preciado added that some are being held "up to four or five days" with a bed, blankets, or access to a shower.

Nationwide Hunger Strikes

Detainees ranging from Georgia to California staged hunger strikes over the last year in protest of conditions outlined in the Arizona case.

In April, two immigrants at the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Ga. protested their prolonged incarceration, citing the fact that ICE didn't have their final deportation order. ICE is required to review each case for a maxium180 days, but at least one of the men said he was already going on six months.

The scrutinized Adelanto Detention Facility in Adelanto, Calif. has received multiple civil rights violation complaints over that last two years. Most cited either medical abuse or a lack of legal representation; detainees also reported racist facility guards and poor food quality.

DHS Detention Center Checks

Bury's ruling is the second detrimental blow to the CPB's defense. Last September, he issued sanctions against the agency over destruction of surveillance video evidence. Defense attorneys argue that releasing such information jeopardized the safety of agents and detainees alike.

The judge disagreed and allowed the Arizona Republic - which sued for access to the information - to publish photographs taken at four of eight stations.

The Department of Homeland Security launched its own set of unannounced immigration detention center visits in March. Results are not public yet, but the goal is to make sure CPB and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is in compliance with DHS health and safety standards.