On July 21, 2025, Human Rights Watch and other advocacy groups released a detailed report exposing severe abuse and neglect at three major immigration detention centers in Florida. These findings come as the Trump administration’s immigration detention policies reach record levels, with more people held in custody and more money spent than ever before. The report highlights urgent concerns about how people are treated inside these centers and raises questions about the future of immigration detention in the United States 🇺🇸.
Widespread Abuse and Overcrowding in Florida Detention Centers
The new 92-page report, “‘You Feel Like Your Life is Over’: Abusive Practices at Three Florida Immigration Detention Centers Since January 2025,” was published by Human Rights Watch, Americans for Immigrant Justice, and Sanctuary of the South. It documents serious problems at the Krome North Service Processing Center, Broward Transitional Center, and the Federal Detention Center in Miami. According to the report, people held in these centers face overcrowding, medical neglect, and degrading treatment on a daily basis.
The report describes how facilities are operating at 45% above their intended capacity, forcing many detainees to sleep on cold concrete floors or share beds. There are not enough blankets or basic hygiene supplies. In some cases, people have been denied food, water, or urgent medical care. At least two recent deaths in Florida detention centers have been linked to medical neglect, and many more cases of untreated illnesses have been reported.
A former detainee at Krome North Service Processing Center shared, “You feel less than human. They treat you like you don’t matter, like you’re just a number.” This statement reflects the emotional and physical toll that detention takes on people who are already facing difficult circumstances.
Record-Breaking Detention Numbers and Budget Increases
Since the start of 2025, the Trump administration has expanded immigration detention to levels never seen before. Congress passed a budget bill in July 2025 that allocated $170 billion for immigration and border enforcement, including $45 billion for new detention centers. This is a 265% increase in ICE’s detention budget, allowing for the daily detention of at least 116,000 non-citizens.
Right now, ICE is detaining between 59,000 and 60,000 people each day, far more than in previous years. The administration has also started using military bases like Guantánamo Bay and Fort Bliss to hold immigrants, with reports of hunger strikes and suicide attempts among detainees.
Policy Changes and Oversight Restrictions
The Trump administration has made mass detention and deportation a top priority, aiming to deport up to 1 million people each year. The new federal budget supports the construction of new family detention centers and a nationwide network of facilities, including those on military bases.
At the same time, ICE has tried to limit oversight by denying entry to members of Congress and restricting facility visits. The Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, which was created in 2020 to provide independent oversight, has been downsized and now has much less power to investigate complaints or enforce changes.
Private Companies and Profits
Over 90% of people in immigration detention are held in for-profit facilities run by companies like GEO Group, CoreCivic, and Akima Global Services. These companies have received guaranteed payments and expanded contracts as part of the detention surge, even though they have faced past complaints about abuse and civil rights violations.
Legal Protections for Children at Risk
The Trump administration is also trying to end the Flores settlement, a legal agreement that limits how long children can be held in detention. Officials argue that new laws make the settlement unnecessary, but advocacy groups say that children are still being mistreated and denied proper care. Legal battles over this issue are ongoing.
Human Rights Crisis: What Detainees Face
The Human Rights Watch report and other investigations describe a human rights crisis inside detention centers. Detainees are often shackled for long periods, denied food and water, and punished with solitary confinement for seeking mental health care. Many are forced to sleep on the floor or in overcrowded cells without enough bedding or privacy.
Families and children are especially at risk. The expansion of detention includes new family centers and the reopening of old ones, meaning more children are being held for longer periods in poor conditions. Reports show that children and families often do not get enough medical care or support.
Limited Access to Legal Help
People in detention face many barriers to getting legal help. Transfers between facilities, sometimes across state lines or to remote military bases, make it hard for lawyers to meet with their clients. Solitary confinement and other punishments are sometimes used to disrupt legal representation. This lack of access to legal support makes it much harder for detainees to fight their cases or report abuse.
Suppression of Oversight and Accountability
Efforts to limit oversight have made it even more difficult to hold detention centers accountable. Members of Congress must now request special permission to visit facilities, and ICE has restricted the information it shares. The Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman is still operating, but with fewer staff and less power to investigate complaints. As a result, abuses can go unchecked for longer periods.
Healthcare Impact and Public Criticism
The July 2025 budget bill not only increased funding for detention but also cut healthcare for 12–17 million Americans. This move has drawn strong criticism from public health experts and immigrant rights groups, who argue that it puts both detainees and the general public at risk.
Step-by-Step: How Detention Works
- Detention Intake: People are detained by ICE or transferred from local law enforcement. They are often held in crowded intake cells with little access to hygiene or medical screening.
- Facility Assignment: Detainees are assigned to centers based on space, which can mean being moved far from family or legal help.
- Oversight and Complaints: The Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman accepts complaints, but with fewer staff, investigations are slow and remedies are limited.
- Congressional Oversight: Lawmakers must request access to visit centers, but new ICE policies have made it harder for them to enter or get information.
Multiple Perspectives on Trump Immigration Detention
- Trump Administration: President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defend the expansion, saying that federal detention standards are higher than those in prisons or state facilities. White House border czar Tom Homan has repeated these claims.
- Congressional Democrats: Many Democratic lawmakers have raised alarms about abuses and demanded more oversight. Some have been denied access to visit centers.
- Advocacy Groups: Organizations like the ACLU, Detention Watch Network, National Immigrant Justice Center, and Americans for Immigrant Justice have condemned the expansion and called for independent oversight and alternatives to detention.
- Private Prison Companies: GEO Group, CoreCivic, and Akima Global Services defend their operations but have not commented publicly on specific abuse allegations.
- Detainees and Families: Many report feeling dehumanized, neglected, and traumatized by their experiences in detention.
Background: How We Got Here
- First Trump Administration (2017–2021): Policies of mass detention and family separation led to widespread criticism and investigations into abuse and deaths in custody.
- Biden Administration (2021–2024): The Biden administration reduced detention numbers, closed some centers, and looked for alternatives to detention. Oversight mechanisms like the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman were kept in place.
- Second Trump Administration (2025–present): There has been a rapid and massive expansion of detention, more use of private and military facilities, and efforts to reduce oversight and legal protections.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Immigration Detention?
- Further Expansion: With new funding and contracts, ICE is expected to keep expanding detention capacity, reopening old centers and building new ones.
- Legal Challenges: Lawsuits are ongoing to stop the end of the Flores settlement and to challenge conditions in detention centers.
- Oversight Battles: Advocacy groups and some lawmakers are pushing for more oversight and legislative action, but face resistance from the administration.
- Public Opinion: Polls show that more people are against mass detention and deportation, but current policies are still shaped by the executive branch and Congress.
Practical Guidance for Affected Communities
If you or someone you know is affected by immigration detention:
- Contact the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman to file complaints or seek help: Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman
- Call the ICE Detention Reporting and Information Line: 1-888-351-4024 for information or to report concerns.
- Reach out to advocacy organizations like Human Rights Watch, Americans for Immigrant Justice, or Detention Watch Network for support and resources.
Solution-Oriented Steps and Alternatives
Advocacy groups recommend several steps to address the crisis:
- Increase independent oversight of detention centers to ensure accountability and transparency.
- Expand alternatives to detention, such as community-based programs, which have been shown to be safer and more cost-effective.
- Restore and strengthen legal protections for children and families, including upholding the Flores settlement.
- Reduce reliance on private prison companies and prioritize non-profit or government-run alternatives.
- Improve access to legal representation for all detainees, especially those in remote or military-run centers.
Conclusion: The Human Cost of Policy
The Trump immigration detention system, especially at centers like Krome North Service Processing Center, has drawn sharp criticism from Human Rights Watch and other groups for treating people as “less than human.” The combination of overcrowding, medical neglect, and lack of oversight has created a crisis that affects tens of thousands of people every day. While the administration claims high standards, independent investigations and personal stories tell a very different story.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the future of immigration detention in the United States 🇺🇸 remains uncertain, with ongoing legal battles, public debate, and calls for reform. For now, affected communities, advocates, and lawmakers continue to push for change, hoping to restore dignity and fairness to the immigration system.
For more information about immigration detention policies and your rights, visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official website.
Key Takeaways:
- Record numbers of people are being detained under Trump immigration detention policies.
- Reports from Human Rights Watch and others document severe abuse, neglect, and overcrowding, especially at Krome North Service Processing Center.
- Oversight has been reduced, making it harder to hold facilities accountable.
- Advocacy groups are calling for alternatives to detention and stronger legal protections.
- Affected individuals and families should seek help from official resources and advocacy organizations.
By staying informed and connected to trusted resources, people can better protect their rights and push for a more humane immigration system.
Learn Today
Human Rights Watch → An international organization that investigates and reports human rights abuses worldwide, including detention conditions.
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) → U.S. federal agency enforcing immigration laws, including detaining non-citizens in various facilities.
Detention Center → A facility where immigrants are held in custody while awaiting immigration proceedings or deportation.
Flores Settlement → A legal agreement limiting the detention time and conditions for immigrant children in U.S. custody.
Oversight → Supervision or monitoring activities ensuring detention centers follow legal and human rights standards.
This Article in a Nutshell
A 2025 report reveals severe abuse, overcrowding, and neglect at three Florida detention centers amid record ICE budget hikes. Privately run and military facilities house tens of thousands daily under restricted oversight, fueling a human rights crisis. Advocates demand accountability and humane alternatives to mass detention practices under Trump policies.
— By VisaVerge.com
