Statements made by Cuban-American Congressman Carlos Giménez regarding the conditions at Miami-Dade County's Krome detention center have been strongly refuted by the families of Cuban migrants held there. Last Monday, Giménez conducted an inspection visit to the facility following criticisms about the treatment and conditions of the migrants detained there.
According to accounts gathered by Univision 23, the detainees are facing severe overcrowding, lack of sanitation, and limited access to basic amenities. "There are 62 people sleeping on the floor in a space that can't accommodate them. On Monday, they received a toothbrush for the first time. It's inhumane," lamented Yeni, the wife of Yuniel Abreu, one of the many migrants with I-220A detained by ICE after attending their court appointment.
Despite Giménez's assurances after his visit to the center that "there is enough space, bathrooms, and showers" and that "the food is good," the families accuse him of ignoring reality by not speaking directly with the inmates. "What I saw is not deplorable; it's a detention center, not a hotel," the congressman stated, emphasizing that there are no inhumane conditions at Krome. However, the stories paint a very different picture.
Contradictory Accounts of Conditions
Laura García, whose husband Yordani López was detained when his case was dismissed in court, reported, "There are over 120 people in one room, they have nowhere to sleep, some are on the floor, sitting, on cots, there aren't enough bunks for everyone." Another woman, Lilian, mentioned that her husband has bathed only twice since entering on June 17 and barely receives food. "More than 100 people in a cramped cubicle," she detailed with distress.
Although Giménez claims the center has the capacity for 500 people and currently houses only 311, testimonies suggest the actual number might be much higher, and conditions are worse than depicted during official visits. Immigration attorney John de la Vega confirmed the jail is overcrowded and the situation has become unsustainable. "These people's lives are being affected by stress and uncertainty," he warned.
Increased Tensions and Future Uncertainties
On June 5, Krome detainees used sheets to form a visible SOS from the air. In May, Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz visited the center, reporting that there were between 25 and 35 men in a very confined space. Concerns are mounting over rumors that many detainees might be transferred to a new facility in the Everglades, ominously nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz" for its isolated location surrounded by alligators and wetlands. Others fear imminent deportation to Cuba.
The controversy unfolds amidst a record number of detentions by ICE, which according to CBS News, now exceeds 59,000 people in custody, far surpassing the 41,500 beds approved by Congress.
Understanding the Challenges at Krome Detention Center
What are the main complaints about the conditions at Krome?
Families of detainees report severe overcrowding, lack of hygiene, and insufficient access to basic necessities like food and personal hygiene items.
What did Congressman Carlos Giménez say about the conditions at Krome?
Congressman Giménez stated that there is adequate space, sufficient bathrooms and showers, and that the food provided is good. He dismissed claims of inhumane conditions.
What are the future concerns for the detainees at Krome?
There are fears about potential transfers to a new, isolated facility in the Everglades, nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz," as well as concerns about possible deportations to Cuba.