Amnesty International has released a report detailing human rights violations at two Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers in Florida, specifically the Krome North Service Processing Center and the Everglades Detention Facility, often referred to as "Alligator Alcatraz." The report describes conditions such as overcrowding, unsanitary environments, and inadequate access to food and water. Detainees have reported being shackled in small cages and subjected to solitary confinement as punishment, which Amnesty International classifies as torture under international law.

The report's lead researcher, Amy Fischer, noted that detainees are often kept in cages with limited access to basic necessities, and some are punished by being placed in a two-by-two-foot box for extended periods without food or water. Fischer emphasized that these conditions are designed to be increasingly harsh, potentially coercing individuals to abandon their immigration claims due to the unbearable environment. In response to the report, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis dismissed the findings as politically motivated and unfounded. Fischer countered that if the governor is genuinely concerned about the welfare of those in custody, he should advocate for the closure of these facilities and the implementation of more humane alternatives to detention.

The report also highlights long-standing issues at the Krome facility, where detainees have faced similar abuses. Fischer recounted an incident where a detainee was physically assaulted in front of human rights monitors, raising concerns about the treatment of individuals in these facilities. Amnesty International is calling for the closure of both detention centers and advocates for an immigration system that respects human rights and supports community integration.

In a related context, the U.S. Border Patrol conducted a weeklong enforcement operation in Charlotte, North Carolina, in November 2025, resulting in the arrest of hundreds of immigrants. This operation, part of the Trump administration's immigration agenda, created significant anxiety within the city's immigrant neighborhoods. Local officials, including Stephanie Sneed, chair of the Board of Education, noted that attendance in public schools dropped by approximately 20 percent during the enforcement period. Reports emerged of Latino children arriving at school with notes indicating their citizenship status, highlighting the fear instilled by the operation.

Central Avenue, a key thoroughfare in East Charlotte's immigrant neighborhoods, experienced a marked decrease in pedestrian activity during the enforcement surge. Manolo Betancur, a bakery owner, described the scene as chaotic, with families fleeing upon witnessing arrests. Many businesses closed temporarily to protect their customers, and while some have since reopened, others remain shuttered as owners assess ongoing risks. The operation also forced some undocumented immigrants to take extreme measures for safety. One individual, identified only as R, resorted to using a machete to create a path through the woods to avoid detection while escorting children to school. Another immigrant, E, expressed skepticism about the permanence of the Border Patrol's departure, fearing continued surveillance.

Support networks have emerged to assist those in hiding, with volunteers delivering essential supplies and monitoring for immigration agents. Daniela Andrade from the Carolina Migrant Network reported that many of the approximately 400 immigrants arrested are now in detention centers, complicating efforts to reunite families and restore a sense of normalcy. The operation has significantly eroded trust within the community, making it difficult for residents to feel secure in resuming their daily lives. Andrade emphasized the long-term impact of such enforcement actions on community cohesion and individual well-being.