The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has commenced the setup of temporary tent facilities at the Krome Detention Center located in the southwest of Miami-Dade County, Florida. This move comes as a response to the overwhelming influx of detainees at the facility. Democratic Congresswoman Frederica Wilson recently conducted an official inspection of the center, confirming the overcrowded conditions. She reported that ICE is installing temporary structures, including air-conditioned prefabricated modules, to accommodate the newly detained migrants, as per El Nuevo Herald.
Wilson described the conditions she witnessed as "alarming" and expressed skepticism regarding the authenticity of the presentation during her visit. "I know what they do. I will have to return unannounced to see what truly happens inside," she stated.
Originally designed to hold 600 individuals, the Krome center now houses approximately 1,700 detainees, nearly three times its intended capacity. This overcrowding has raised concerns of possible internal unrest and serious safety issues affecting both federal employees and the migrants, as noted in a report by the Los Angeles Times.
In recent weeks, complaints regarding inhumane conditions have surged, with migrants reporting insufficient access to potable water and adequate food, systemic medical neglect, unsanitary confinement, and extreme overcrowding.
Back in March, a 36-year-old Cuban detainee, Octavio Pérez Rodríguez, alerted his wife about his deteriorating health during a phone call. "I'm dying, I have a pain... You can't imagine what I'm going through," he said, pleading to be deported back to Cuba.
Additionally, the death of a Ukrainian immigrant, Maksym Chernyak, due to inadequate medical attention, has further fueled criticism of the center's management. Leaked footage reveals detainees sleeping on the floor, lacking access to showers or regular phone calls, and subsisting solely on peanut butter sandwiches. "We are practically kidnapped," stated one migrant.
Widespread Detention Crisis Across the Nation
The situation at Krome is not an isolated incident, according to Los Angeles Times. Nationwide, ICE detentions surged to nearly 48,000 by March, marking a 21% increase since the end of the Joe Biden administration. However, the mass deportations advocated under the new Donald Trump administration have faced numerous legal challenges that slow down the process.
In efforts to expand its capacity, ICE issued a call for bids to operate new detention centers with a budget reaching up to $45 billion, aiming for 100,000 available beds, far exceeding the current 41,000. The plan controversially includes the potential use of U.S. military bases to detain migrants, challenging historical restrictions.
Meanwhile, the closure of three oversight offices within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), tasked with investigating abuses in detention centers, exacerbates the lack of oversight on the detainees' conditions. Human rights organizations, families of the detained, and the migrant community are demanding immediate action to ensure humane treatment and conditions at Krome and other detention centers.
As of now, ICE has not provided detailed information on the exact number of tents to be set up nor the additional capacity they seek to achieve. The situation remains fluid amid increasing social and political pressure.
ICE Detention Center Crisis: Key Questions Answered
What prompted ICE to build tent facilities at the Krome Detention Center?
ICE began constructing tent facilities at Krome to address the severe overcrowding caused by a surge in detainees, which has pushed the center to nearly three times its intended capacity.
Why is there concern about conditions at the Krome Detention Center?
Concerns stem from reports of inhumane conditions, including lack of access to clean water and adequate food, medical neglect, and unsanitary and overcrowded living quarters.
What measures are being demanded by human rights groups regarding detention centers?
Human rights groups are calling for immediate actions to ensure detainees receive humane treatment and that centers like Krome provide dignified living conditions.