Inside Krome Detention Center: Families Demand Action Over Horrible Living Conditions

The living conditions at the Krome Detention Center, located in Miami-Dade County, Florida, have become a growing concern for families and advocacy groups. The facility, which houses individuals awaiting immigration hearings or deportation, has faced mounting criticism over its treatment of detainees. Families of those detained at Krome are speaking out, describing their loved ones’ living conditions as inhumane, saying that detainees are being treated “like dogs” in overcrowded and unsanitary environments.

A Glimpse Into Krome Detention Center

Krome has long been a controversial facility, but the conditions inside have reached a tipping point for many who have loved ones detained there. The center, which houses both men and women, is a high-security facility that serves as one of the largest immigration detention centers in the United States. It is meant to hold individuals temporarily as they await deportation hearings or the resolution of their immigration status.

But for many families, what was once supposed to be a short-term stay has turned into an ongoing nightmare. The stories that have emerged paint a troubling picture of the facility. From overcrowded living quarters to inadequate healthcare, the situation is reportedly deteriorating.

‘Like Dogs’: Families Speak Out

Numerous families have expressed their outrage over the conditions their loved ones are enduring. They say that detainees are living in unsanitary, overcrowded spaces, with little access to basic necessities. One family member described how detainees are packed into cells, sometimes as many as eight or more people per room. “They’re sleeping on floors, with barely enough room to move,” said one individual whose relative is currently detained at Krome.

Others have reported that detainees are being served inadequate and poorly prepared food, and in some cases, are left without access to proper medical care. “They are being treated like animals, like they don’t matter,” said another family member. These conditions, according to families, violate basic human dignity and basic standards of care.

Many detainees at Krome are reported to have limited access to visitation or communication with their families. In some cases, detainees have complained about long delays in receiving phone calls or letters from their loved ones. “It’s a constant struggle just to get a message to them, and when we do hear from them, it’s usually only after they’ve gone through something really difficult,” said one concerned relative.

Rising Concerns Over Mental and Physical Health

The troubling conditions at Krome have raised significant concerns about the mental and physical health of detainees. Families have reported that many of their loved ones have suffered both physical injuries and mental health issues as a result of the overcrowding and inadequate conditions.

According to reports, detainees are often forced to wait for long periods to receive medical attention, and some are being denied medication or treatments for pre-existing conditions. In one case, a detainee who was suffering from severe depression reportedly went without psychiatric care for weeks. The lack of adequate medical attention, particularly for those with chronic health conditions, has led to further deterioration in the physical and mental well-being of detainees.

Many families have also reported that their loved ones are experiencing heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and trauma, exacerbated by the harsh conditions they are living in. “It’s a never-ending cycle of stress for them. They go in healthy, and by the time they leave, they are completely broken,” said a family member of one detainee.

Calls for Action: Advocacy Groups Demand Change

The stories shared by families have caught the attention of advocacy groups who have long fought for improved conditions at immigration detention centers. Human rights organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) have raised their voices, demanding that changes be made at Krome and other similar facilities across the nation.

These organizations are calling for greater transparency and accountability from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which operates Krome, as well as other detention centers. They are also calling for an end to the use of detention for individuals seeking asylum and for the improvement of conditions for those who are detained.

The ACLU has urged for better oversight of detention facilities and the implementation of stronger standards of care. “The conditions at Krome are a violation of basic human rights,” said an ACLU spokesperson. “We demand that detainees be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, not like criminals or animals.”

A Growing Public Outcry

As word of the conditions at Krome spreads, more and more people are coming forward to share their experiences and demand action. In addition to the advocacy groups, elected officials in Florida have also begun to voice their concerns. Several state representatives have called for investigations into the facility’s operations, and some have even called for the closure of the detention center altogether.

Despite the public outcry, Krome remains open, and detainees continue to face difficult conditions. However, the growing pressure from families, activists, and lawmakers may eventually lead to meaningful change.

The Road to Reform

The road ahead for Krome Detention Center is uncertain, but the voices of families and advocacy groups are clear: The status quo cannot continue. Calls for reform include better oversight, improved living conditions, more access to medical and mental health services, and an end to the overcrowding that has become endemic at the center.

While it is uncertain when or if change will come, one thing is clear: Families will continue to fight for their loved ones and for justice. “We won’t stop until things change,” said one family member. “They deserve better.”