By Ahmed Abdelsalam
Families and immigration advocacy groups are raising alarms that severely ill detainees held in Florida immigration facilities are facing imminent deportation to African nations where they have no ties. According to the Workers Circle, an advocacy group monitoring conditions at two South Florida Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities, flights to third countries are scheduled to begin as early as this week.
Allegations of Medical Neglect and Forced Removal
Advocates report that detainees with serious medical conditions are being informed by agents that because countries like Mexico will not accept them due to their health status, they will instead be sent to Africa. Arianne Betancourt, an immigrant rights organizer, stated that detainees are being pulled for interviews and told they are being redirected to African nations. The group expressed deep concern that these individuals will be unable to access necessary medical care or medication once deported.
One family member, Anisley Cortés, shared the struggle of her husband, Noslén Sendra, a Cuban national suffering from uncontrolled diabetes and acute pancreatitis. She noted that after being told Mexico would not accept him due to his medical requirements, officials informed him he would be sent to Africa. Attorney Shalyn Fluharty indicated that upcoming flights may be destined for the Central African Republic and Burundi, warning that long-duration flights could be life-threatening for those with heart conditions or diabetes.
Department of Homeland Security Response
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) denied the allegations, labeling the claims a false story intended to smear ICE personnel. The department maintained that no sick detainees are being deported and emphasized that all detainees are medically cleared and provided with necessary medications before travel. Regarding Noslén Sendra, the DHS stated he is a criminal illegal alien convicted of fraud and larceny who has been consistently cleared by medical evaluations.
The DHS further defended the practice of third-country removals, describing them as an essential public safety tool for removing dangerous individuals. The spokesperson added that the Department of State receives diplomatic assurances from destination countries regarding the safety of those being removed.
Conditions at Florida Detention Centers
The reports involve the Krome North processing center in Miami and the Broward transitional center in Pompano Beach, both of which are privately operated for ICE. A recent government inspector's report highlighted severe overcrowding at the Krome facility, which was holding 1,102 detainees despite a maximum capacity of 882. The report also cited violations regarding inadequate sanitation facilities and noncompliance with detention standards.
Advocates link the increased deportation flights to third countries to the broader immigration crackdown and subsequent overcrowding in detention centers nationwide. Recent reports from human rights organizations have also raised concerns regarding the treatment of detainees during and after these controversial deportation flights.
