Gimenez Leads Oversight Visit to ICE Facility in FDC Miami, Finds No Human Rights Violations

MIAMI – U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, (R-FL), released a press conference after leading a Congressional oversight fact-finding mission of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities within the Federal Department of Corrections in the City of Miami.

Rep. Gimenez conducted the visit after receiving reports that alleged inhumane conditions at FDC Miami.

“Reports claimed that the facility was overcrowded, citing 350 to 400 ICE detainees in a space with a reported capacity of only 152.” he said.

Gimenez also acknowledged a recent incident involving use of force at the facility.

"There were 42 inmates or detainees that refused orders, that had knocked some sprinklers and were looking to rip out some toilets in a holding cell facility as they were being processed," he said.

However, he concluded that authorities had not committed any violations and had maintained conditions within humane standards.

“I confirmed that the actual capacity is 500, with the current population at 311. The detainees are housed across four separate units, each capable of accommodating up to 125 individuals.” Gimenez stated.

Gimenez would also clarify, “Each unit includes an outdoor recreation area, phones for personal and legal calls-including direct lines to embassies-and access to computers for communication and email. Medical care is readily available, with a nurse practitioner stationed on every detainee floor, two full-time doctors, and onsite x-ray, optometry, dental, and hearing services. This is a detention center, not a hotel. And I did not see anything at FDC Miami that would make us feel ashamed of being Americans."

He had previously conducted similar fact-finding missions both during the first Trump presidency and during President Biden's administration and concluded that conditions were likewise livable.

Gimenez said he plans to visit the Krome Detention Center next. The Krome facility recently made headlines after detainees staged a sit-in protest, spelling out "SOS" in the recreation yard.