Rising Immigrant Arrests and Allegations of Abuse at America’s Oldest Detention Center in Miami
Written by SpringNewsNG Media Limited, April 25, 2025
MIAMI (AP) — Tensions are mounting at the Krome Detention Center in Miami, the United States’ oldest immigration detention facility, as the facility struggles to manage an influx of detainees. In recent weeks, Krome has been overwhelmed with nearly three times its capacity, housing over 1,700 individuals despite its maximum capacity being 600. The rapid increase in detainees comes as President Donald J. Trump intensifies his crackdown on immigration, fulfilling his campaign promise of mass arrests and deportations.
Amid overcrowding and rising fears of unrest, staff members at the facility have expressed growing concerns. One U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employee, in a private text message, described the situation at Krome, stating, “There are 1700 people here at Krome!!!!” The message also noted that, despite the unsafe conditions, no one was willing to speak out due to fears of retaliation.
This fear of reprisal is compounded by ongoing legal and political battles over the president’s aggressive immigration policies, with critics arguing that the approach is violating fundamental human rights. At Krome, the surge in complaints about inhumane conditions has highlighted the strain the facility is under. Reports have surfaced of insufficient food and water, unsanitary living conditions, and medical neglect.
Adding to the controversy, the Trump administration has shut down three oversight offices within the Department of Homeland Security, which were responsible for investigating abuse claims. Documents, including a text exchange between ICE employees and detainee complaints, have been shared with The Associated Press by an anonymous federal worker, fearing retaliation. These documents reveal troubling accounts, including the arrival of 40 women at Krome, an all-male facility, potentially violating federal regulations aimed at reducing the risk of sexual assault in detention.
Detention Crisis and Bed Shortages Nationwide
Krome is not alone in facing a critical shortage of bed space. Nationally, immigration detention numbers have surged to nearly 48,000 as of March 23, marking a 21% increase compared to the final months of the Biden administration. As the legal battles against mass deportations continue, these numbers have plateaued, but the need for space in detention facilities persists.
In response, ICE has called for bids to expand its detention capacity, with plans to increase the number of beds to 100,000, a sharp increase from the current budget of 41,000. The federal government is even considering holding migrants at U.S. Army bases, testing the boundaries of a century-old ban on military involvement in civilian law enforcement.
Despite mounting criticism, the Trump administration’s controversial immigration strategy appears to be having some success. Border encounters in March 2025 dropped to just over 11,000, the lowest number recorded in at least a decade, compared to 96,035 in December 2024, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
As the debate over immigration policy continues, the situation at Krome highlights the growing pressures on the U.S. detention system and the human cost of aggressive immigration enforcement. The ongoing surge in detainees and complaints of abuse raise urgent questions about the future of America’s immigration policies and the treatment of those caught in its crosshairs.
