MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez will tour the Krome Detention Center in Miami-Dade County on Monday as part of a congressional oversight visit amid growing concerns over the treatment of migrant detainees held at federal facilities in South Florida.
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Gimenez’s office confirmed the visit in a news release obtained by Local 10 News on Saturday, noting that the Republican congressman will be “exercising his right to conduct a fact-finding mission” at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility.
The detention center is located at 18201 SW 12th St.
Following the tour, Gimenez is expected to hold a press conference to discuss his findings.
The visit comes as the Krome facility faces increased scrutiny over reports of overcrowding and transfers of ICE detainees to other federal jails, including the Federal Detention Center in downtown Miami.
Gimenez toured FDC Miami earlier this week and defended conditions there, saying he saw no evidence of mistreatment or neglect.
“It’s not some place I would like to visit, but it’s not inhumane,” he said following that visit. “They’re giving their medications every single day. They have facilities. They have their own X-ray facilities. They have optometrists, hearing, dental. I mean, it’s a full-service jail.”
The congressman said he did not speak with detainees during the FDC tour, even though some attempted to get the attention of media present.
His comments followed complaints raised by families and the union representing prison staff about limited access to clean clothing and medication, prolonged lockdowns, power outages and deteriorating infrastructure.
Local union president Kevin Castillo said malfunctioning elevators have contributed to reduced out-of-cell time for detainees. Gimenez confirmed a broken elevator was a factor, adding that “once that elevator is up and running, they would have additional time to be out.”
He also acknowledged a recent disturbance involving 42 detainees who allegedly refused orders and damaged a holding area. “There had to be force,” Gimenez said. “They knocked over and knocked down some sprinkler systems and were looking to rip out some toilets … There were no injuries that required them to leave the facility.”
Gimenez said no women or children are being held at FDC Miami and that only single adult males are housed there.
Assignment editor Mariana Ortiz contributed to this story.
