Cuban-American Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) returned on Wednesday to the controversial immigrant detention center in the Everglades, nicknamed Alligator Alcatraz, and denounced that the conditions there remain "horrible," despite the reduction in the number of detainees.
Frost, a Democrat from central Florida, reported that during his visit, he noticed that the cages with extreme overcrowding still exist.
"There are only 336 people right now. The last time I came, there were a thousand. I thought that with fewer people, they would distribute them and there wouldn't be 32 per cage, but that wasn't the case," she declared in front of the facilities.
The legislator also stated that, although he had authorization to meet with several detainees from his Orlando district, he ultimately was unable to see them. "Just yesterday we had approved it with the state, but today I was informed that they had been transferred," he said, questioning the transparency of the process.
"It's a shame, and I will continue working to get answers for the families in Central Florida," he/she added.
"Deliberate cruelty with a visual touch"
The congressman described the facility as "performative theater and cruelty for entertainment," and accused private contractors of profiting from the operation of the center while violating constitutional rights and environmental standards.
"They act with insensitivity, for the financial benefit of those who build and manage this place," he assured.
Frost is one of over 60 Democratic lawmakers who signed a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), requesting clarity on the role of federal agencies in the operation of the center.
"Ambiguity is part of their strategy to avoid accountability," he noted.
The congressman also warned that recent polls show discomfort even among Republican voters regarding the direction of immigration policy.
He mentioned the Cuban-American congress members from Miami - Mario Díaz-Balart, Carlos Giménez, and María Elvira Salazar - who, he said, "face pressing questions from their constituents" for addressing the Hispanic community without defending it in this case.
"We hope that the Republicans will join us on this journey to fight for humanity, for our voters, for our people," he concluded.
An installation under scrutiny
The center, built in just eight days on an abandoned runway at the Dade-Collier Airport, was inaugurated to support the mass deportation policy of the Trump administration.
Since its opening, it has faced strong criticism from Democratic lawmakers, human rights advocates, and religious organizations.
On a previous visit in July, congress members and state legislators reported infested mattresses, suffocating temperatures, undrinkable water, and bathrooms lacking privacy.
On that occasion, Frost reported hearing a detainee shout from the tents, "I am a U.S. citizen!" while others chanted "Freedom!".
"It is something that everyone, whether they are Democrats, Republicans, or whatever they may be, should feel deeply ashamed of. Immigrants do not poison the blood of this nation. They are the blood of this nation," he asserted at that time.
For her part, Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz described the place as a "concentration camp" and demanded its immediate closure.
The Republicans in Florida, on the other hand, have defended the facility. State Senator Blaise Ingoglia even claimed that the beds were "comfortable" and that the reports of suffering were "political theater."
An imminent court ruling
The center is also facing legal challenges. An ongoing federal case is examining whether the construction violated the National Environmental Policy Act by not undergoing a prior review. Environmental organizations and plaintiffs are calling for a halt to the use of the site until compliance with the regulations is achieved.
The presiding judge must make a ruling before the current temporary restraining order expires. “We know the judge will get back to us at any moment today or tomorrow. We are hoping for a decision that will close this place,” Frost said as they left Alligator Alcatraz.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Alligator Alcatraz Detention Center
What are the conditions like at the Alligator Alcatraz detention center?
The conditions in Alligator Alcatraz are described as inhumane, with extreme overcrowding, stifling temperatures, and a lack of access to basic health and hygiene services. Detainees face unsanitary conditions, with undrinkable water and bathrooms lacking privacy, in addition to exposure to extreme heat and mosquitoes. These conditions have led to hospitalizations and legal complaints.
Why is Alligator Alcatraz considered an "internment camp"?
The term "internment camp" is used to describe Alligator Alcatraz due to the inhumane conditions and degrading treatment of the immigrants detained there. Legislators, human rights advocates, and religious leaders have pointed out that the center violates constitutional and human rights, and have compared it to concentration camps because of its use to confine individuals without criminal records in cages and under extreme conditions.
What legal actions have been taken against Alligator Alcatraz?
Several legal actions have been filed against Alligator Alcatraz for human rights violations and failure to comply with environmental regulations. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other organizations have reported the obstruction of access to legal defense for detainees, while environmental groups and the Miccosukee tribe have sued over the construction of the facility in a sensitive ecological area without the proper permits.
What role do Cuban-American congress members play in the Alligator Alcatraz case?
Cuban-American congresspersons have been criticized for their lack of support in defending the rights of immigrant detainees in Alligator Alcatraz. Maxwell Alejandro Frost has pointed out that other Cuban-American congresspersons face questions from their constituents for not advocating for the Hispanic community. Frost and other Democratic legislators have urged these congresspersons to join the fight for human rights and transparency in the management of the facility.
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