Key Takeaways
• Krome Detention holds at least 605 immigrants, exceeding its 581 capacity, with overcrowding worsened by added tents.
• April 15, 2025, detainee revolt at Miami Federal Prison prompted flashbang use amid severe overcrowding and poor conditions.
• April 2025 visits and UN reports reveal human rights abuses; Miami-Dade County breached immigrant protection settlement.
Hundreds of immigrants are currently being held in overcrowded and deteriorating conditions at two major Miami detention facilities: the Krome Detention Center and the Miami Federal Prison, officially known as the Federal Detention Center Miami. The situation has reached a critical point, with recent incidents, government oversight visits, and legal challenges drawing national and international attention. This crisis affects not only the immigrants inside these centers but also their families, legal advocates, and the broader Miami community.
Overcrowding Crisis at Miami Detention Facilities
Both the Krome Detention Center and the Miami Federal Prison are now holding far more immigrants than they were designed to accommodate. According to early March 2025 data, Krome was holding at least 605 people, even though its official capacity is 581 detainees. Immigration attorneys and advocates believe the real number is even higher. The Federal Detention Center Miami, meanwhile, is currently housing about 400 ICE detainees.
To deal with the overflow, ICE has put up large tent structures at Krome, including one that can hold 200 people and plans for another that could house up to 800. These tents are a clear sign of how the system is struggling to keep up with the number of immigrants being detained under current enforcement policies.
Key Facts About Overcrowding
- Cells are packed with three to five times their intended number of people
- Detainees are sleeping on cold concrete floors, sometimes without blankets
- Some people have to sleep near toilets or even sitting on toilets due to lack of space
- Rooms are described as holding 60-80 men with barely enough room to lie down
These conditions have led to growing frustration and fear among detainees, as well as serious health and safety risks.
Recent Incidents and Breaking News
Detainee Revolt at Miami Federal Prison
On April 15, 2025, a major incident broke out at the Miami Federal Prison. Detainees, angry about the overcrowding and poor conditions, flooded a floor of the prison in protest. Correctional officers responded by using concussive flashbang grenades to regain control. This revolt, which only came to light on May 27, 2025, shows just how tense and dangerous the situation has become inside these facilities.
Congressional Oversight Visit
On April 24, 2025, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-24) visited the Krome Detention Center after hearing reports of inhumane conditions. She saw the newly erected tents and learned about plans for even more. Wilson expressed concern that the facility seemed freshly painted and prepared for her visit, raising questions about whether officials were trying to hide the true conditions. She promised to return unannounced to get a more honest look.
Miami-Dade County Settlement Breach
A federal judge ruled on April 18, 2025, that Miami-Dade County had violated a 2021 settlement meant to protect certain undocumented immigrants from being handed over to ICE. Judge Kathleen Williams said she was deeply disappointed by the county’s actions, which led to dozens of local residents being transferred to federal custody and facing possible deportation. This breach has turned the Miami-Dade County jail system into a “feeder” for the Krome Detention Center.
Human Rights Abuse Report to the United Nations
On April 8, 2025, the group Americans for Immigrant Justice (AI Justice) submitted a report to the United Nations Human Rights Council. The report detailed what they called “egregious human rights abuses” at Krome, including overcrowding, lack of medical care, and unsanitary conditions. This step was part of the UN’s regular review of human rights in all member countries.
Inside the Facilities: What Immigrants Are Experiencing
Living Conditions
Firsthand accounts from former detainees, attorneys, and official documents paint a grim picture:
- Extreme overcrowding: Cells and rooms are packed far beyond their limits.
- Sleeping arrangements: Many detainees sleep on the floor, without blankets or bedding. Some have to sleep next to toilets or even sitting on them.
- Sanitation problems: Rooms often smell bad, and people are forced to sleep right next to toilets. There is limited access to showers or clean clothes.
- Health risks: There have been reports of detainees being denied urgent medical care. On May 3, 2025, a case of tuberculosis was confirmed at the Miami Federal Prison, raising fears of disease spreading among both detainees and staff.
Transportation and Processing
The problems start even before immigrants reach the detention centers:
- Long bus rides: Detainees are sometimes kept overnight in shackles on buses with overflowing toilets.
- Delays in processing: Some people are left on buses for up to eight hours before being processed into the facility.
- Lack of basic needs: Detainees have reported going hours without water, sometimes screaming for help.
Communication and Legal Access
- Limited contact: Many detainees are unable to contact their families or lawyers.
- Lockdowns: Extended lockdowns prevent regular access to phones and computers.
- Lost records: Medical and legal records are sometimes lost during transfers between ICE and the Bureau of Prisons, leading to missed medications and legal problems.
How the Facilities Are Managed
Krome North Service Processing Center
- Location: 18201 SW 12th Street, Miami, FL 33194
- Official capacity: 581 detainees
- Current population: At least 605, with reports of even higher numbers
- Public hours: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Detainee information phone line: (305) 207-2001
Federal Detention Center Miami
- Current ICE detainees: About 400
- Operational problems:
- Only four of eight elevators are working
- No extra staff to handle the increased number of detainees
- Chronic understaffing and maintenance issues
- Confirmed tuberculosis case in May 2025
Official Responses
ICE has responded to the growing criticism with statements stressing their commitment to safety and humane treatment. They admit that some facilities are experiencing temporary overcrowding due to recent increases in detention populations and say they are taking steps to manage capacity while following federal standards.
ICE spokesperson Nestor Yglesias stated:
“ICE takes its commitment to promoting safe, secure, humane environments for those in our custody very seriously. These allegations are not in keeping with ICE policies, practices and standards of care.”
Regarding Congresswoman Wilson’s visit, ICE said:
“What the congresswoman saw today was not staged, and any allegation that it was is simply not true. Ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of individuals in our custody is a top priority.”
Key People and Groups Involved
- Juan Agudelo: ICE Field Office Director for Miami
- Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-24): Oversight of Krome Detention Center
- Mayor Daniella Levine Cava: Miami-Dade County Mayor, found in breach of settlement agreement
- Kenny Castillo: President of the union representing Bureau of Prisons employees at the Miami Federal Prison
- Judge Kathleen Williams: U.S. District Court Judge who ruled on the settlement breach
- Oscar Londoño: Co-executive director at the immigration non-profit WeCount!
- Jessica Blankenship: Immigration attorney representing a detainee who died in ICE custody
Why Is This Happening? The Bigger Picture
The crisis at the Miami Federal Prison and Krome Detention Center is part of a larger trend in the United States 🇺🇸. Since the start of President Trump’s current term, immigration arrests have increased sharply. In just the first 50 days, over 32,800 people were detained nationwide, according to ICE data.
This surge has led to:
- More transfers between facilities, including from Krome to the Miami Federal Prison
- Faster case processing, sometimes at the expense of due process
- Coordination with local jails, turning them into feeders for federal detention centers
- Temporary tents being used to house extra detainees
- Legal challenges and complaints to human rights organizations
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these developments have put enormous pressure on the detention system, leading to the current crisis.
Impact on Immigrants and the Community
The overcrowding and poor conditions at the Miami Federal Prison and Krome Detention Center have serious consequences for immigrants:
- Physical and mental health risks: Overcrowding, lack of medical care, and unsanitary conditions can lead to illness, injury, and even death.
- Family separation: Many detainees are unable to contact their families, causing distress for both the immigrants and their loved ones.
- Legal challenges: Lost records and limited access to lawyers make it harder for immigrants to defend themselves in court.
- Community trust: The breach of the Miami-Dade County settlement has damaged trust between local government and immigrant communities.
For facility staff, the crisis means:
- Increased workload: Chronic understaffing and maintenance problems make it harder to keep up with daily operations.
- Health risks: Staff are at risk of catching diseases like tuberculosis from sick detainees.
What Are the Next Steps?
The situation at the Miami Federal Prison and Krome Detention Center is still changing. Advocacy groups, legal representatives, and government officials are watching closely. Here are some possible next steps:
- Continued oversight: Congresswoman Wilson and other officials may conduct more surprise visits to check on conditions.
- Legal action: Attorneys like Jessica Blankenship are preparing lawsuits over deaths and injuries in custody.
- International attention: Reports to the United Nations could bring more global pressure on the United States 🇺🇸 to improve conditions.
- Policy changes: Local and federal governments may need to review their agreements and enforcement policies to prevent further overcrowding.
Practical Guidance for Immigrants and Families
If you have a loved one detained at the Krome Detention Center or Miami Federal Prison:
- Contact the facility: Use the Krome detainee information line at (305) 207-2001 during public hours.
- Seek legal help: Reach out to immigration attorneys or advocacy groups like Americans for Immigrant Justice.
- Stay informed: Follow updates from official sources and trusted news outlets.
- Know your rights: Learn about your legal rights and protections. The official ICE Detention Facility Locator can help you find more information about specific facilities.
Conclusion
The crisis at the Miami Federal Prison and Krome Detention Center is a stark reminder of the challenges facing the United States 🇺🇸 immigration system. Overcrowding, poor conditions, and legal breaches have put hundreds of immigrants at risk and raised serious questions about how the country treats those in its custody. As the situation continues to unfold, it is important for families, advocates, and officials to stay engaged, demand accountability, and push for humane treatment for all.
For ongoing updates and in-depth analysis, VisaVerge.com reports that monitoring these developments is essential for anyone affected by or interested in immigration policy and immigrant rights in the United States 🇺🇸.
Learn Today
Krome Detention Center → A Miami immigration detention facility currently holding more detainees than its official capacity allows.
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency responsible for immigration detention and enforcement.
Congressionaument Oversight → Visits by elected officials to inspect detention facilities and ensure standards are met.
Tuberculosis → A contagious bacterial infection identified at Miami Federal Prison in May 2025, raising health concerns.
Flashbang Grenades → Non-lethal explosive devices used by officers to control detainee protests and riots.
This Article in a Nutshell
Miami’s Krome Detention and Federal Prison face critical overcrowding with hundreds detained beyond capacity, causing dangerous conditions, protests, and legal scrutiny. Temporary tents house hundreds, tuberculosis cases emerge, while officials deny staging visits. The crisis raises serious concerns about detention policies and humane treatment in US immigration centers.
— By VisaVerge.com
