Alarms have been raised within the migrant community in South Florida, particularly among the Cuban population, following a report by Associated Press that reveals the inhumane conditions faced by hundreds of individuals at the Krome detention center in Miami-Dade County.
Located on the outskirts of the Everglades, Krome is the oldest immigration detention center in the United States and has been the site of multiple controversies throughout its history. It currently houses up to 1,700 people, nearly triple its original capacity of 600.
This has created a tense atmosphere both among the detainees and among the center's own workers, who report feeling unsafe.
Among the most serious complaints are the lack of access to drinking water and sufficient food, unhealthy confinement, and systematic medical neglect.
At the end of March, Octavio Pérez Rodríguez, a 36-year-old Cuban who has been detained in this facility for over a month, made a call to his wife, Midalys López Corrales, and expressed his desperation: "I am dying, I have pain... You can't imagine what I'm going through," he said and requested to be deported to Cuba.
In leaked videos shared on social media, detainees can be seen sleeping on the floor, without access to showers or phone calls, and barely eating peanut butter sandwiches. "We are practically being held hostage," said one of them.
The Ukrainian immigrant Maksym Chernyak died after spending days without adequate medical attention in Krome, despite his complaints of extreme cold and high blood pressure. His wife claims that the language barrier prevented him from communicating his health condition. He was ignored until it was too late.
The U.S. government has recently shut down three oversight offices of the Department of Homeland Security responsible for investigating abuses in these centers. This decision has sparked a wave of criticism from human rights advocates and lawmakers, who warn that without independent oversight, the risks for migrants increase.
The report does not mention how many specific cases of Cubans there are detained in Krome, but the community in Miami fears that many of those affected could be compatriots from the island.
Frequently asked questions about the conditions at the Krome detention center in Miami
What are the main complaints about the Krome detention center?
The most serious complaints at the Krome detention center include lack of access to potable water, insufficient food, unsanitary conditions, and systemic medical neglect. Additionally, extreme overcrowding has been reported, with up to 1,700 individuals in a space originally designed for only 600. Detainees have also reported inhumane conditions such as sleeping on the floor and lack of access to showers and phone calls. The death of a Ukrainian detainee and the testimony of despair from a Cuban reflect the severity of the situation.
What actions has the U.S. government taken regarding the abuses at Krome?
Recently, the U.S. government closed three oversight offices of the Department of Homeland Security responsible for investigating abuses in these centers, which has sparked criticism and concern among human rights advocates. Without independent oversight, the risks for migrants increase, and reports of abuses continue without an effective response from the authorities.
How does the Trump administration's immigration policy affect detainees at Krome?
The immigration policy of the Trump administration has toughened the conditions for migrants, including the elimination of humanitarian "parole" programs and the intensification of deportations. This has created an atmosphere of uncertainty and anxiety among migrants, especially those from countries such as Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The expansion of the detention system and the use of military bases to house migrants reinforce the current government's anti-immigrant stance.
What measures is ICE implementing to address overcrowding at Krome?
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has acknowledged the overcrowding in its facilities and asserts that it is implementing measures to manage capacity and ensure humane treatment. However, reports of inhumane conditions continue, questioning the effectiveness of these measures. The transfers of detainees to other facilities are part of the actions taken, but they have not resolved the underlying issues.
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