MIAMI – U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) visited the Krome Detention Center, responding to complaints of poor living conditions from inmates detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Detainees raised concerns about limited access to clean bathrooms, clothing, medication, and long wait times for food.
During his visit, Rep. Gimenez spoke with one detainee who said, “We have to urinate on the floor,” and added, “Well, I haven’t taken a bath in five days.”
However, Rep. Gimenez stated, “The conditions there are, you know, it’s not the Ritz, but it’s not something you would say is inhumane or something that you wouldn’t see in any other detention facility.”
He would make some final criticisms towards the facility, stating that it was at full capacity at 1000 inmates and advising authorities to allow for easier access to bathrooms and more recreational time for detainees.
The visit is a part of Gimenez’s ongoing review of ICE facilities across South Florida amid rising concerns about detainee treatment. Last week, he toured FDC Miami and concluded that conditions there met humane standards, with no apparent violations.
Despite Gimenez's findings, he received criticisms from U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, (D-FL).
Rep. Wasserman Schultz disagreed with Gimenez's approach of notifying the facility of his visit beforehand, allowing for the "ICE officials an opportunity to totally sanitize the facilities.”
In contrast, she said her own unannounced inspection revealed drastically different conditions, describing them as "deplorable."
“In the pre-clearance area, you have dozens of men crammed into a very tiny space where they’re sleeping, eating, defecating, urinating, including sleeping on the floor,” she said.
Gimenez does not have any plans to inspect the facilities further, he said he may revisit the facility if more questions and concerns arise.
