Civil organizations denounced this Friday the unsanitary conditions of the “Alligator Alcatraz” migrant detention center in Florida, where at least six individuals have been hospitalized due to the conditions of the facility.
According to a report by the EFE agency, the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) stated that extreme heat, environmental pollution, and lack of access to basic health and hygiene services have put the lives of several people at risk.
The camp, inaugurated on July 1 by President Donald Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis, is located on an abandoned airstrip in the middle of the Everglades wetlands.
The FLIC specified that the center houses more than 1,000 men in tents vulnerable to flooding and lacking adequate sanitary conditions.
“This center is an atrocity. They mimic concentration camps, ” declared Tessa Petit, executive director of FLIC, who raised concerns about the risk of contamination from poorly managed bathroom and sink systems, as well as the continuous exposure to heat, which can lead to heart failure and other severe medical complications.
For its part, Fresco Steez, spokesperson for Dream Defenders, denounced the location of the center in a threatened ecosystem and urged the mayor of Miami-Dade County, Daniella Levine-Cava, to shut it down.
"Wrongfully imprisoned men are being hospitalized while the State actively represses the truth, silencing families, banning the entry of journalists, and pressuring healthcare staff to keep it secret," declared Dream Defenders.
The organizations did not only mention the conditions of overcrowding, the consumption of water from outlets connected to toilets, the overflow of sewage, and the exposure to constant light without timely medical attention.
The environmental conditions are also alarming. A study revealed that the area where the camp was established is infested with more than 7 billion mosquitoes, some of which carry viruses such as those found in the Everglades, Zika, dengue, and West Nile.
This, combined with prolonged exposure to tropical heat and the vulnerability of the surrounding ecosystem, increases the health risk for the detainees and the community at large
Frequently Asked Questions about the "Alligator Alcatraz" Detention Center
What are the reported unsanitary conditions in "Alligator Alcatraz"?
The unsanitary conditions in "Alligator Alcatraz" include environmental pollution, extreme heat, and lack of access to basic health and hygiene services. Detainees face extreme temperatures, sewage overflow, and exposure to disease-carrying mosquitoes. Additionally, there are reports of drinking water coming from outlets connected to toilets and spoiled food.
Why is "Alligator Alcatraz" considered to be in a problematic location?
"Alligator Alcatraz" is located in a wetland area in the Everglades, making it vulnerable to flooding and exposing the detainees to a dangerous ecosystem. The area is infested with mosquitoes that carry viruses such as Zika and dengue, and it is home to vulnerable species like alligators. The rapid construction without environmental assessment has raised concerns about the ecological impact.
What legal actions have been taken against "Alligator Alcatraz"?
Multiple lawsuits have been filed against "Alligator Alcatraz", primarily due to inhumane conditions and human rights violations. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other organizations have reported that detainees are denied access to legal representation, and environmental groups have challenged the construction without proper environmental review. Furthermore, the Miccosukee tribe has sued for the violation of territorial rights.
What is the Florida government's stance on the detention center?
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis defends the existence of "Alligator Alcatraz," stating that it meets the minimum legal standards. Despite the criticism, DeSantis insists that the facility is necessary for processing and deporting undocumented immigrants, and he has announced plans to replicate the model in other locations if the current facility reaches its maximum capacity.
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