A recent human rights investigation has exposed disturbing conditions inside three immigration detention centers located in and around Miami, Florida. The report reveals a pattern of medical neglect, overcrowding, and mistreatment that has allegedly led to multiple deaths and serious human rights violations.
Published jointly by Human Rights Watch, Americans for Immigrant Justice, and Sanctuary of the South, the report focuses on the Krome North Service Processing Center, the Broward Transitional Center, and the Federal Detention Center. Testimonies from detainees and their families describe deeply troubling scenarios—raising urgent questions about the state of immigration enforcement in the United States.
Medical Negligence and Tragic Deaths
According to the report, detainees at these centers often faced long delays in receiving medical attention—even during life-threatening emergencies. One tragic case involved Marie Ange Blaise, a 44-year-old Haitian woman who reportedly suffered a fatal health episode at the Broward facility. Fellow detainees say their repeated cries for help were ignored, and by the time medical aid arrived, it was too late.
Another case involved Maksym Chernyak, a Ukrainian man who repeatedly requested medical care while suffering from fever and chest pain at the Krome facility. His symptoms escalated to vomiting and loss of consciousness. Witnesses say it took staff nearly 20 minutes to respond—by which time he was in critical condition. He later died in hospital.
Mental health care, too, was reportedly hard to access. Some detainees claimed they were punished or placed in solitary confinement for requesting mental health support.
Overcrowding and Unsanitary Conditions
All three centers are said to be operating beyond their intended capacity. Detainees described cramped rooms holding 30 to 40 people in spaces designed for six. Basic necessities such as beds, soap, and clean toilets were reportedly in short supply. In some cases, detainees were forced to sleep on floors or use buckets for toilets.
The situation was especially alarming for women held at the male-only Krome facility. Several reported being denied showers and exposed to male detainees due to the facility’s design. One Argentine woman said that men could see into their rooms and toilet areas by simply standing on a chair.
Systemic Abuse and Neglect
Accounts from detainees suggest that mistreatment was not limited to medical neglect or overcrowding. Complaints included verbal threats, inadequate food, exposure to extreme temperatures, and prolonged shackling. In one testimony, a British detainee recalled being threatened by guards after requesting a working toilet.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
The report’s authors argue that these conditions not only violate basic human dignity but also breach both international and US federal laws related to immigration detention. They criticize what they describe as a dangerously overstretched system, driven by the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation policies.
Since January 2017, the number of people held in US immigration detention has grown dramatically—from around 39,000 to nearly 57,000 in just six months. And the administration is pushing to expand capacity even further, aiming for 100,000 beds by year-end through the rapid construction of new facilities, including tent encampments on military bases.
Florida has already begun funding its own detention facility—dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz”—raising further concern about oversight and accountability.
Conclusion
The investigation paints a grim picture of a system in crisis. While immigration enforcement remains a complex and divisive issue, the report emphasizes the urgent need for humane treatment and oversight. Human rights advocates warn that without serious reforms, the suffering inside these facilities may only deepen—putting thousands of lives at risk.
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