ICE prepares deportations of severely ill immigrants from Florida to African countries with which they have no ties

Relatives of immigrants detained in two centers of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Florida reported that US authorities are preparing deportations of seriously ill people to African countries with which they have no ties. The transfers could begin this Wednesday, October 21st, according to organizations following the cases. Those affected remain in the Krome North processing center in Miami and the Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach. Both facilities are administered by private companies operating under contract with ICE. According to the immigrant defense organization Workers Circle, several detainees were informed during the last few days that they would be sent to third countries because their medical conditions made their reception in other destinations difficult. Arianne Betancourt, an immigrant rights organizer for the entity, explained during a press conference on Tuesday that she received calls from detainees who had been interviewed by agents in charge of deportations. "They informed me that, due to their medical conditions, Mexico would not accept them and that they would be sent to Africa," she recounted. The organization expressed concern about the continuity of medical treatments during flights and after arrival in countries where deportees have no family networks or known ties. The case of a Cuban with diabetes and pancreatitis who could be deported to Africa Among those affected is Noslén Sendra, a 41-year-old Cuban citizen who has been in immigration custody since November 2025. His wife, Anisley Cortés, explained that he was initially detained in the center known as Alligator Alcatraz, currently closed, and that since April he has been in Krome. According to her testimony, Sendra suffers from uncontrolled diabetes and acute pancreatitis, a condition that caused him to be hospitalized for several weeks at the beginning of this year. "He lost more than 50 pounds. They did not give him his medication or enough food. It was a nightmare for all of us," Cortés denounced. The woman asserted that her husband needs adequate medical attention and that the authorities informed her that he could not be deported to Cuba or Mexico. According to her account, Mexico would have refused to accept him due to the amount of medication he needed. "They told us that since he could not be accepted in either of those two countries, they would have to send him to Africa," she explained. Cortés expressed fear about the consequences a prolonged transfer might have on her husband's health. "We have the uncertainty of not knowing how he is or if we will see him again," she stated. Which African countries could receive the detainees The lawyer specializing in immigrant rights Shalyn Fluharty pointed out that, according to the information received from the detainees, the authorities were preparing deportation flights for this week. "We understand that there will be two flights to Africa, probably on Thursday and Friday, particularly to the Central African Republic and, we believe, also Burundi," she explained. The lawyer warned that these transfers could represent additional risks for people who need medication, regular food, or medical checks. According to Fluharty, in previous deportations, some immigrants were transported with restraints on their hands, ankles, and waist during long flights. She also stated that there were cases where people who protested were immobilized with devices that completely restricted their movements. "The trips can last up to 24 hours. What happens if someone has a heart disease, a high risk of suffering a stroke or diabetes and needs regular access to food or insulin?" she asked. The organizations clarified that the information about the upcoming flights comes from testimonies of detainees and families. No official confirmation had been disseminated about the destinations or the identity of all passengers. An official report detected overcrowding and deficiencies in Krome The reports are made after a report from the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security identified serious problems in the Krome North detention center. The document, published in September, was based on two unannounced inspections conducted in May. The investigators found 1,102 people detained in a facility with a maximum capacity of 882. According to the report, this situation compromised the security conditions and the orderly functioning of the facility. Deficiencies were also detected in the number of bathrooms, sinks, and showers available. Previously, other reports had indicated that some women had to use restrooms in view of men and that certain newly arrived immigrants remained for more than 24 hours in buses parked due to lack of space. Betancourt maintained that families fear reprisals against their loved ones when they make the conditions of detention public. "Families have been demanding supervision and every day they feel a real fear of speaking and defending their loved ones," she stated. Deportations to third countries under the Trump administration The transfers are part of a broader immigration policy driven during the second term of President Donald Trump. The US government has increased deportations to third countries, meaning destinations other than the immigrants' country of origin and with which, in some cases, they have no personal ties. This practice received support from the Supreme Court of the United States in September 2026, although it continues to generate questions from human rights organizations. Hundreds of immigrants were sent to at least a dozen African countries through this mechanism. A report published on October 8 by Human Rights Watch documented reports of mistreatment during and after the transfers, as well as cases of arbitrary detention, persecution, and torture after the arrival of deportees.