Florida Migrant Detention Facility Under Renewed Scrutiny Amid Allegations of Inhumane Conditions

A controversial migrant detention facility in Florida, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” and located deep within the Everglades, continues to draw fierce criticism from Democratic lawmakers who describe conditions as “inhumane.” This comes as Florida’s Republican Governor, Ron DeSantis, maintains the site is “safe and secure.”

Following a lawsuit for denied access, congressional and state representatives were granted a limited tour of the makeshift tent facility last week. Lawmakers reported hearing detainees crying out for “libertad” (freedom) amidst sweltering heat, bug infestations, and inadequate meals. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, representing Florida’s 25th Congressional District, stated that migrants are “packed into cages, wall-to-wall humans, 32 detainees per cage,” with shared toilet water used for drinking and hygiene.

Concerns were heightened by allegations that lawmakers were only shown empty cells and denied access to areas where migrants are currently detained, as well as medical facilities. Representative Maxwell Alejandro Frost voiced worries about reports of unhygienic conditions, including non-functional toilets and widespread feces. US Rep. Darren Soto also noted evidence of flooding, raising serious safety concerns given the active hurricane season.

Families of the estimated 900 detainees at the facility, which has a capacity for 3,000, corroborate the lawmakers’ accounts. The wife of a 43-year-old Guatemalan man detained at the site detailed harsh conditions, including mosquito infestations, power outages, and lack of access to legal counsel for over two weeks. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a statement defending the facility, asserting that ICE maintains higher detention standards than most U.S. prisons and provides proper meals, medical treatment, and communication opportunities.

The facility, swiftly constructed in just eight days under an executive order from Governor DeSantis, was recently toured by former President Donald Trump, who praised its rapid development as a model for other states.

阅读中文版 (Read Chinese Version)

Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.