Congress members denounce critical conditions and overcrowding at ICE detention centers in Florida
A serious complaint has shaken immigration management in Florida. A group of Democratic congresspeople has highlighted the severe overcrowding and unsanitary conditions faced by detainees at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities located in Miramar and Orlando.
According to information gathered by lawmakers Robert Garcia, Bennie Thompson, and Orlando Maxwell Frost, the Miramar facility housed as many as 342 people on a single day in August, drastically exceeding its operational capacity, which is limited to only 56 individuals.
Inhuman conditions and lack of medical attention
The reports submitted to federal authorities describe a worrying scenario. The cells, designed according to regulations for stays that should not exceed 12 hours, are being used to hold people for periods of up to a week. Among the most serious irregularities pointed out by Alofoke Deportes, the following stand out:
- Extreme overcrowding with detainees sleeping on the floor and in annex buildings.
- Critical sanitary deficiencies, including overflowing toilets and a lack of basic hygiene.
- Absence of medical staff, even in cases of contagious diseases such as tuberculosis.
- Reports of officers who have required antibiotic treatment due to the unsanitary environment.
These facilities must also be closed and those responsible must be held accountable.
Bennie Thompson, Congressman
They demand accountability
The problem is not limited to Miramar. In Orlando, similar situations have been reported where groups of up to 80 people remain in overcrowded cells, wearing shackles for long 16-hour shifts. Congress members have also pointed out that there are indications that those responsible for these centers may be moving detainees before Congressional inspection visits to hide the reality of the facilities.
In light of these events, lawmakers have demanded formal responses from the leadership of ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), setting an October 5 deadline to obtain clarification on the handling of these humanitarian crises on U.S. soil.
So far, federal authorities have not issued official statements regarding the accusations presented, while the number of detainees nationwide continues to be a subject of public debate, reaching more than 65,000 people in custody in recent dates.
