Democratic Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz made an unannounced visit to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Field Office in Miramar, Florida, on Thursday, revealing severe overcrowding and what she described as inhumane conditions. She remarked that she wouldn't wish such circumstances "on anyone you care about."
According to the congresswoman, over 150 individuals were crowded into four holding areas of a facility intended for administrative processing, not for extended detention.
The staff informed her that each room is designed to accommodate 56 people. Wasserman Schultz reported seeing between 70 and 75 men in a room approximately 24 by 24 feet and more than 50 women in a space merely 12 by 12 feet.
"There are literally people lying on the floor. There's absolutely no room. It's people wall to wall," the lawmaker stated.
Each room has a single toilet located in a corner without any privacy, forcing detainees to eat, sleep, and use the restroom in the same cramped area.
Detainees receive three microwavable meals daily and a refillable water bottle. They are allowed to shower only every other day, and the facility operates at extremely high temperatures with no space for legal consultations.
"You wouldn't wish these detention conditions on anyone you love, certainly not on anyone else. They're inhumane," Wasserman Schultz emphasized, as reported by El Nuevo Herald.
The facility is intended as a processing center where individuals shouldn't stay for more than 12 hours. However, ICE has obtained a waiver allowing them to hold detainees for up to 72 hours.
Immigrant advocacy groups report some migrants remain for five days or longer.
Escalating Concerns and Overcrowding
During the congresswoman's press conference, three fire trucks arrived at the scene, as reported by Telemundo 51. Wasserman Schultz noted that ICE reports an average of one medical emergency daily requiring a 911 call and that the facility hasn't been inspected since the current director took over in October.
"It's difficult to know if you're meeting ICE standards if a facility isn't inspected," she warned.
Overcrowding worsened after the permanent closure of Alligator Alcatraz on June 25, a center that processed nearly 21,000 deportations in less than a year. Activists attribute Miramar's collapse to the influx of detainees previously transferred to that location.
The situation could deteriorate further following the Supreme Court's decision allowing Trump to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 350,000 Haitians and 7,000 Syrians without judicial review. Most TPS holders in Florida are Venezuelan or Haitian, and the Trump administration had already terminated TPS for Venezuela.
"Conditions here are about to get much worse," the congresswoman warned.
Calls for Oversight and Accountability
The day before the visit, immigration activists demanded oversight and unannounced inspections at the facility. María Bilbao from the Miramar Circle of Protection reported that 33 unmarked vehicles entered the premises over three hours since the previous Monday.
ICE did not respond to Wasserman Schultz's latest allegations.
The agency had previously denied overcrowding accusations, describing the facility as a "processing location" where "the number of individuals held varies based on operational needs."
"The first Trump administration was terrible. But this is much worse. I consider this state terrorism," Bilbao told the Herald.
Frequently Asked Questions about ICE Facility Conditions in Miramar
What did Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz find at the ICE facility?
She reported severe overcrowding and inhumane conditions, with people lying on the floor and rooms filled wall to wall.
How long can detainees be held at the Miramar facility?
While the facility is intended for processing within 12 hours, ICE has a waiver that allows them to hold individuals for up to 72 hours.
Why is the situation at the Miramar facility worsening?
The closure of Alligator Alcatraz and policy changes affecting TPS holders have contributed to increased overcrowding.