Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has issued a forceful demand to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for immediate and comprehensive explanations regarding the deaths of five individuals who were in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at various immigration detention facilities across Florida. The Mayor’s call for transparency comes amidst what she describes as a “deep and growing concern” over what she characterizes as an “alarming number of deaths and medical emergencies” occurring within these federal immigration holding centers.
Mounting Concerns Over Custody Conditions
In a detailed letter addressed to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Mayor Levine Cava specifically highlighted the tragic loss of life within facilities operating within or near Miami-Dade County and other parts of Florida. The letter underscores the urgent need for accountability and a thorough review of the circumstances leading to these fatalities.
According to the Mayor’s communication, five individuals held in ICE custody in Florida have died “this year.” The deaths occurred across three different facilities, underscoring that the issue is not isolated to a single location but potentially indicative of broader systemic concerns within the state’s detention network.
Specifically, the letter details that three detainees have died at the Krome Detention Center, a major immigration facility located in southwest Miami-Dade County. The Krome facility, known for processing and holding individuals awaiting immigration proceedings, has been the subject of scrutiny in the past, but the recent cluster of deaths has significantly escalated concerns among local officials.
In addition to the deaths at Krome, Mayor Levine Cava’s letter also referenced one death at the Broward Transitional Center and another at the Federal Detention Center (FDC) in Miami. The inclusion of fatalities at these distinct facilities points to potential issues affecting detainees across different operational structures within Florida’s ICE custody system.
Demand for a Detailed Report and Investigation
Seeking clarity and a path towards preventing future tragedies, Mayor Levine Cava’s letter formally requested a detailed report from the Department of Homeland Security. This report, as specified in her demand, should encompass “all deaths in ICE custody in 2025.” While the timeframe requested appears to project into the future, the context implies an urgent need for information regarding recent and upcoming fatalities, seeking to understand the full scope of the issue and the federal government’s response.
The requested report is expected to include not only the statistics of deaths but also the findings of medical investigations conducted into each case. Furthermore, the Mayor has specifically asked for information regarding the measures that have been, or will be, implemented by DHS and ICE to address any potential systemic errors or deficiencies identified through these investigations or through broader reviews of detention protocols and conditions.
Evidence of Rising Distress at Krome
The Mayor’s concerns are further substantiated by concrete data regarding emergency responses at the Krome Detention Center. Her letter cited a significant and troubling increase in emergency calls originating from the Krome facility. In June of “this year,” 32 emergency calls were recorded from the center. This figure represents a stark contrast to the relatively low number of such calls in the corresponding period of the “previous year,” when only five emergency calls were recorded in June.
This nearly six-fold increase in emergency calls from a single facility within a year provides statistical weight to the Mayor’s assertion of an “alarming number of… medical emergencies” and suggests a potential deterioration of health and safety conditions, or at least an increased demand on emergency services from the facility.
A Specific Case Highlighted
The human cost of these statistics was underscored by Mayor Levine Cava through the specific mention of one detainee’s death. Isidro Pérez, a 75-year-old Cuban citizen, is named in the letter as one of the individuals who passed away while in ICE custody. Mr. Pérez reportedly complained of chest pain while detained at the Krome Detention Center.
He subsequently passed away on June 26 at HCA Kendall Hospital in Miami. The inclusion of Mr. Pérez’s case serves to personalize the tragedy and highlights the vulnerability of detainees, particularly the elderly, and the critical need for timely and adequate medical care within detention settings.
Ongoing Oversight Challenges
Beyond the immediate concerns related to recent deaths, Mayor Levine Cava’s letter also reiterated a previous demand regarding another detention facility in the region. She specifically called for continued access to and monitoring of a state detention center located in the Everglades.
This facility, which has been colloquially nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” is situated on county-owned land. The Mayor’s persistent demand for oversight of this site indicates ongoing challenges related to transparency and local government access to facilities operating within its jurisdiction, even when used for federal immigration purposes.
Call for Federal Accountability and Transparency
The actions taken by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava reflect growing pressure on federal immigration authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals held in their custody. The demand for detailed reports, medical investigation findings, and implemented measures underscores a critical need for greater transparency and accountability from ICE and DHS regarding conditions within detention centers.
The cluster of deaths in Florida facilities, coupled with the significant increase in emergency calls from Krome, raises serious questions about the adequacy of medical care, supervision, and overall conditions within these centers. The Mayor’s public stance and formal letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security signal a determination by local leadership to push for urgent reforms and prevent further loss of life in federal immigration detention.
The response from the Department of Homeland Security to Mayor Levine Cava’s demands will be closely watched by local officials, immigrant advocates, and the public, as concerns over the humane treatment of detainees in the nation’s immigration system continue to be a significant issue.
