Puerto Rico Aclu Denounces Transfer Of Immigrant Detainees To 'alligator Alcatraz'

The American Civil Liberties Union section successful Puerto Rico is denouncing nan transportation of immigrants detained successful nan U.S. territory to "Alligator Alcatraz," nan caller immigration detention installation built successful Florida successful conscionable one week connected an abandoned airstrip surrounded by swampland.

People who are taken into migration custody successful Puerto Rico, galore of them from nan Dominican Republic, are sent to nan mainland U.S., arsenic nan land lacks imperishable detention centers that tin clasp detainees for prolonged periods.

The ACLU of Puerto Rico said Friday successful a news merchandise that they had received reports this week of detainees from nan land being transferred to nan installation successful Florida arsenic good arsenic allegations of "rights violations and dehumanizing treatment."

Annette Martínez, nan executive head of nan civilian authorities nonprofit, condemned President Donald Trump's scheme to build much detention centers arsenic good arsenic nan building of Alligator Alcatraz during an question and reply pinch NBC News earlier this month.

"This isn't moreover a detention center. We're talking astir a installation that much intimately resembles a torture center," Martínez said successful Spanish. "It's moreover been described arsenic a spot wherever you participate and you can't leave."

In a suit filed by nan ACLU this week against nan Department of Homeland Security, 4 group detained successful Alligator Alcatraz and their attorneys alleged that nan national authorities has interfered pinch their expertise to entree detainees and supply counsel for those being held there.

Michael Borrego Fernández, a Cuban nationalist being held successful nan Florida detention halfway and 1 of nan plaintiffs successful nan lawsuit, alleged "harsh and inhumane conditions" astatine nan facility.

"He reported that detained group were told that they are only allowed 1 repast a time (and fixed only minutes to eat), are not permitted regular showers, and are different kept astir nan timepiece successful a cage wrong a tent," the title states. "Mr. Borrego besides reported that location person been beingness assaults and excessive usage of unit by group moving arsenic guards, and a deficiency of aesculapian attraction and attention."

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin denied allegations of inhumane conditions, telling NBC News successful a statement: “No lawbreakers successful nan history of quality civilization person been treated amended than forbidden aliens successful nan United States."

An estimated 700 detainees successful Alligator Alcatraz are being held successful cage-style units covered by white shelter structures erected successful nan mediate of a hurricane-prone wetland surrounded by snakes and alligators.

Since its construction, immigrant detainees and their loved ones person alleged unspeakable conditions successful nan facility — including deficiency of water, issues pinch energy and copious mosquitoes.

A Dominican migrant who was arrested successful Puerto Rico past period has spent 2 weeks detained successful Alligator Alcatraz. In an question and reply pinch El Nuevo Día, a Puerto Rican newspaper, nan migrant alleged that detainees pinch aesculapian conditions are incapable to entree curen and described having small entree to nutrient and showers.

"We are concerned that nan United States government, which tries to coming itself internationally arsenic beacon of populist and justice, is processing migration argumentation successful this way," Martínez said.

Trump’s efforts to transportation retired mass deportations is reshaping migration enforcement successful Puerto Rico, which had long been perceived arsenic a sanctuary for immigrants.