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Legislators

Florida Congressional Delegation Tours Immigrant Detention Center in the Everglades

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A guided tour of the state-run immigrant detention center in the Everglades by members of Florida's Congressional delegation has highlighted the poor conditions in which detainees are being held. The tour, led by Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, revealed a range of concerns, including bugs on mattresses, inadequate sanitation, and small food portions. The delegation, which included Democratic representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Jared Moskowitz, described the conditions as "disturbing, vile," and "incredibly dystopian."

Key Takeaways:

  • The state-run immigrant detention center in the Everglades has been criticized for its poor conditions, including bugs on mattresses, inadequate sanitation, and small food portions.
  • The tour, led by Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, showed that detainees were being held in cages with 32 men per cell, with three sinks attached to the toilets.
  • Democratic representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Jared Moskowitz described the conditions as "disturbing, vile," and "incredibly dystopian."
  • Detainees have previously reported being denied showers, having toilets that didn't flush, and finding maggots in their food.
  • Anna Eskamani, a state representative from Orlando, said that the detention center was "just incredibly dystopian" and that there was a "lot of lack of clarity" on rules and procedures.
  • Kristi Noem, secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, defended the conditions at the detention center, stating that it was held to the same standards as federal facilities.
  • Governor Ron DeSantis' ally, Spring Hill Republican Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, visited the detention center and described the Democratic criticism as "political theater."

Statistics:

  • 32 men are reportedly held in each cell at the detention center.
  • Detainees have reported having to share toilets without sinks.
  • Detainees have reported finding maggots in their food.
  • The detention center is operated by the Florida Division of Emergency Management, led by Kevin Guthrie.

Sources:

  • Florida Phoenix
  • Miami Herald
  • CBS News
  • Twitter (Blaise Ingoglia)

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