Concerns have intensified within the migrant community in South Florida, particularly among Cubans, following an Associated Press report exposing the inhumane conditions faced by hundreds at the Krome Detention Center in Miami-Dade County. Situated near the Everglades, Krome is the oldest immigrant detention facility in the United States and has been marred by numerous controversies throughout its history. Presently, it houses up to 1,700 individuals, nearly three times its original capacity of 600.
This overcrowding has fostered a tense atmosphere among both detainees and staff, who report feeling unsafe. Among the most severe complaints are the lack of access to clean water and sufficient food, unsanitary confinement, and systematic medical neglect.
In late March, Octavio Pérez Rodríguez, a 36-year-old Cuban who has been detained at Krome for over a month, made a desperate call to his wife, Midalys López Corrales. "I'm dying, I'm in pain... You can't imagine what I'm going through," he lamented, expressing his wish to be deported back to Cuba. Leaked videos circulating on social media show detainees sleeping on the floor, deprived of showers and phone calls, and subsisting on meager peanut butter sandwiches. "We're practically kidnapped," one detainee remarked.
Ukrainian immigrant Maksym Chernyak tragically died after days without proper medical care at Krome, despite his complaints of extreme cold and high blood pressure. His wife claims the language barrier prevented him from adequately conveying his health condition, leading to his plight being ignored until it was too late.
Recently, the U.S. government shut down three oversight offices within the Department of Homeland Security responsible for investigating abuses at these centers. This action has sparked a wave of criticism from human rights advocates and lawmakers, who warn that without independent oversight, the risks for migrants are exacerbated.
The report does not specify how many Cuban detainees are currently at Krome, but the Miami community fears that many affected individuals could be fellow island nationals.
Impact of Krome Detention Center Conditions on Migrants
What are the main issues reported at Krome Detention Center?
The primary issues reported include overcrowding, insufficient access to potable water and food, unsanitary living conditions, and systematic medical neglect.
How has the closure of oversight offices affected the situation at detention centers?
The closure of these offices has heightened concerns as it removes independent oversight, increasing the potential for abuses and neglect within detention centers.
What has been the response from the migrant community in Miami?
The migrant community, particularly the Cuban community in Miami, is deeply concerned about the conditions and the number of compatriots potentially affected.