Mexico leader demands release of citizens held in 'Alligator Alcatraz'
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Mexico's president demands the return of nationals held in Florida's "Alligator Alcatraz" detention center over reported abuse and poor conditions.
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Ruling party presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum greets supporters after the National Electoral Institute announced she held an irreversible lead in the election in Mexico City, early Monday, June 3, 2024. (AP)
Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has stated that the country is calling for the return of no fewer than 30 of its citizens who are currently detained in the Florida immigration detention center, which has gained notoriety as "Alligator Alcatraz" due to its controversial conditions.
On Wednesday, the Mexican leader announced that a formal note had been submitted to US authorities, insisting on the immediate repatriation of any Mexican nationals who might be held in the detention center.
"They have no reason to enter these detention centers. Within the framework of the United States’ own laws, what we seek is for them to return to our country immediately and not be detained in this manner," Sheinbaum stated.
Her remarks follow a visit this week by the Mexican consul in Miami, Rutilio Escandón, to the Florida detention center, marking the first time an overseas consul has gained access to the facility.
Detainees describe dire conditions
Escandón reported to Telemundo TV station that among the grievances expressed by the 39 Mexican detainees he interviewed were inadequate shower access, with washing permitted only once every three days, along with uncomfortable temperature conditions where the air conditioning was reportedly set extremely low at around 60 degrees Fahrenheit at times while also enduring excessive heat and severe mosquito infestations in the facility, at others.
Roberto Velasco Álvarez, who leads the North American unit of Mexico's Foreign Ministry, stated on Sunday that authorities had repatriated two young brothers detained at "Alligator Alcatraz", including one who had entered the US with a tourist visa, and confirmed their return to Mexico occurred without any charges being filed.
The launch of the "Alligator Alcatraz" detention center coincides with the Trump administration's broader nationwide enforcement campaign targeting migrants and asylum seekers, as US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conduct widespread operations, arresting thousands of individuals across the country.
The 39-acre (16-hectare) facility, located approximately 40 miles (64km) from Miami, has faced significant backlash from advocacy groups who report that detainees are being kept in severely overcrowded units while dealing with sewage system failures that have caused "feces-flooded enclosures" and, in certain instances, have not received necessary medical attention.
