Amnesty International’s Findings on Migration Policies in Southern Florida

In September 2025, Amnesty International undertook a significant research trip to southern Florida, aiming to shine a light on pressing human rights issues arising from federal and state migration and asylum policies. This investigation specifically addressed the stark realities of mass detention and deportation and the dire conditions faced by individuals within these facilities.

The Impact of Migration Policies

As migration and asylum policies evolve, the resulting impacts on human rights cannot be ignored. Amnesty’s report highlights the grave consequences of these policies, particularly in relation to mass detention practices. The organization raises concerns about how individuals seeking safety are subjected to severe hardships, jeopardizing their access to due process and contributing to an environment fraught with fear and uncertainty.

Detention Conditions at Krome North Service Processing Center

One focal point of the investigation was the Krome North Service Processing Center (Krome), located in Miami-Dade County at the Everglades’ edge. Since President Trump took office on January 20, 2025, Krome has become a site of distress, grappling with significant scrutiny over its deplorable conditions. Reports of severe overcrowding and avoidable deaths have prompted urgent calls for reform.

During the investigation, Amnesty documented numerous issues that highlight the urgent need for systemic change. Delays in intake procedures have left individuals waiting for extended periods, compounding their suffering. The facility has frequently been overcrowded, forcing detainees into temporary processing areas akin to holding pens, where safety and human dignity are compromised.

Health Care and Legal Representation Challenges

Access to healthcare within Krome has been identified as gravely inadequate. Detainees often encounter barriers to necessary medical care, further endangering their health and well-being. Additionally, the legal landscape is fraught with challenges as detainees struggle to access representation and due process. The pervasive atmosphere of intimidation and uncertainty has left many feeling powerless in the face of an extremely complex legal system.

The Everglades Detention Facility: “Alligator Alcatraz”

“The Everglades Detention Facility,” colloquially referred to as “Alligator Alcatraz,” opened its doors in July 2025, with a staggering capacity to detain approximately 3,000 individuals. However, Amnesty’s research paints a bleak picture of life within its walls. The conditions reported are nothing short of inhumane, as detainees find themselves in sordid environments that are both unsanitary and degrading.

Overflowing toilets, inadequate facilities, and alarming living conditions characterize life in Alligator Alcatraz. Detainees are forced to contend with unsanitary conditions, where fecal matter leaks into sleeping areas, compounded by limited access to showers and constant exposure to pests. The facility, operating under harsh lighting 24/7, deprives individuals of any semblance of privacy, thus exacerbating their suffering.

Inhumane Treatment and Torture

Amnesty International firmly asserts that the conditions in both Krome and Alligator Alcatraz constitute cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment. Prolonged solitary confinement employed at Krome is classified as a form of torture, while the oppressive environments in Alligator Alcatraz reveal systematic violations of human rights. The distressing findings emphasize the urgent need for accountability and reform within U.S. immigration detention practices.

Urgent Appeals for Change

In light of these disturbing findings, Amnesty International has issued a series of urgent calls to action directed at the U.S. government. The organization urges the cessation of cruel mass immigration detention practices and the need to halt the criminalization of migration. Furthermore, Amnesty demands the prohibition of state-owned facilities for immigration custody and insists on comprehensive investigations into all deaths, abuses, and allegations of torture within custody.

The organization emphasizes the necessity for the U.S. to comply with international human rights laws and standards, urging a reinvigorated commitment to safeguarding human dignity in the face of systemic challenges. In advocating for these reforms, Amnesty International is not only underscoring the need for immediate change but also reinforcing the fundamental rights that must be afforded to all individuals, regardless of their immigration status.