Recent reports have pointed to overcrowding, food shortages, and limited medical care in immigration detention centers in Florida. Detainees, family members, and attorneys have described serious concerns regarding conditions at facilities such as the Krome Detention Center in Miami and the Glades County Detention Center.
Testimonies include cases of detainees with untreated illnesses, minimal meals, and poor sleeping arrangements. Some accounts mention that detainees have been sleeping on floors for extended periods, and that food served was sometimes spoiled. In May, a group of detainees reportedly formed an “SOS” sign in Krome’s outdoor area.
Policy experts and immigrant rights organizations link overcrowding to a rise in detentions, currently exceeding 48,000 nationwide, with deportation rates not increasing at the same pace. This discrepancy has placed pressure on detention center capacity.
The federal agency overseeing these facilities has stated that certain centers are experiencing temporary overcrowding and that steps are being taken to maintain compliance with federal standards and humane treatment.
So far this year, at least nine deaths have occurred in immigration detention custody, including three in Florida — a number that surpasses recent yearly averages.
Additionally, a major expansion of the detention system has been proposed, with significant federal funding directed toward new facilities and removal operations. Some advocacy groups have raised concerns about prolonged detentions and expanded surveillance.
One recent case involves a Venezuelan national detained in Florida following an immigration court hearing. His mother raised concerns about his health and well-being. In a phone call, he explained that he had requested voluntary deportation due to the prolonged wait and the conditions in detention.
