The family of Ysmael Santos Díaz, a Cuban who has lived in the United States for over two decades, does not understand how someone who always kept his immigration appointments ended up locked up, sick, and without access to the most basic necessities.
His arrest occurred on January 12 during a routine appointment with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Tampa, Florida. Since then, his case has become a public outcry regarding the treatment he is reportedly receiving in federal custody.
According to a report by Univisión Tampa Bay, Ysmael spent several days without food, water, or the opportunity to sleep. “They slept on the floor, without bathing. My husband hadn't bathed for five days,” she reported, clearly affected, questioning the treatment of individuals detained for immigration reasons.
"They are not animals, they are not terrorists, they are people," added Erika Rodríguez, Ysmael's niece.
The testimony describes a situation that goes beyond a simple administrative detention. Ysmael, a father of four, was reportedly confined with dozens of people in the same room, many of whom were ill. When he managed to communicate briefly with his family from a processing center in Florida, he could barely speak. He had a throat infection, a cold, and, according to his relatives, he had not received any medical attention or medications.
The situation escalated when, according to his family, ICE attempted to transport him to the border with Mexico so he could cross on foot, without water, food, or protection. Following this refusal, Ysmael was transferred to the Krome North Service Processing Center in Miami-Dade County, where he has been for nearly three weeks, as confirmed by the agency's own detainee locator system.
His wife recalled that although he previously signed a deportation order due to a legal mistake, Ysmael "religiously" attended every immigration appointment he was given. "We accompanied him," she stated, not understanding why he is now facing prolonged detention under conditions she deems unjust and dehumanizing.
The family demands a response from ICE and dignified treatment not only for Ysmael but for all those who, like him, remain detained without a voice or access to report what is happening inside these centers.
Univisión reported that it attempted to obtain an official response from ICE regarding these allegations, but so far no concrete reaction has been made public.
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