Immigration authorities are pushing forward with plans to deport seriously ill detainees from Florida facilities to African nations after Mexico reportedly declined to accept individuals with complex medical needs, immigration advocates warned earlier this week. The potential third-country removals from the Krome North Service Processing Center in Miami and the Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach target detainees facing severe health risks, raising acute concerns over access to ongoing treatment during long-haul international flights.
Third-Country Removals Target Detainees with Severe Medical Needs
The push involves individuals held across private and federal facilities in South Florida who cannot be returned to their countries of origin. Detainees were informed they could face removal to African nations because Mexico allegedly refused to accept individuals with severe medical conditions. Arianne Betancourt, an immigrant rights organizer with the Workers Circle, stated that detainees reached out after learning that their health needs blocked their deportation to Mexico, prompting immigration authorities to look toward Africa instead.
Among those caught in this administrative bottleneck is Noslén Sendra, a 41-year-old Cuban national living with uncontrolled diabetes and acute pancreatitis. His wife, Anisley Cortés, noted that Sendra has remained in immigration custody since November 2025. Following an initial stint at the facility known as Alligator Alcatraz, he transferred to the Krome North Service Processing Center in April 2026. Cortés reported that her husband’s health deteriorated sharply behind bars, resulting in a weight loss exceeding 50 pounds and multiple multi-week hospitalizations.
Advocates argue that despite these grave conditions, Sendra did not consistently receive necessary medications or adequate food while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Cortés stated that her husband learned of potential deportation to Africa after both Cuba and Mexico declined to take him back, with Mexico specifically citing the volume of medication required to manage his illnesses.
Flights to Central Africa Face Scrutiny Over Long-Distance Medical Risks
Legal representation for those affected has mobilized against the rapid timeline. Immigration attorney Shalyn Fluharty told The Guardian that deportation flights could launch toward the Central African Republic or Burundi. Fluharty highlighted the severe medical hazards of international journeys stretching up to 24 hours for vulnerable individuals who depend on regular medication, insulin, proper nutrition, or continuous clinical supervision.
The Department of Homeland Security firmly disputed the allegations of neglect. The agency maintained that every detainee undergoes medical clearance prior to departure and travels with necessary prescriptions. DHS stated that Sendra received thorough medical evaluations and secure discharges following hospital treatments. According to federal records cited by the agency, Sendra has lived under an active removal order since September 2015.
| Detainee Detail | Reported Status |
|---|---|
| Name & Age | Noslén Sendra, 41 (Cuban National) |
| Medical Conditions | Uncontrolled diabetes, acute pancreatitis |
| Detention Timeline | In custody since November 2025; transferred to Krome in April 2026 |
| Proposed Destinations | Central African Republic or Burundi |
Overcrowding at Krome Deepens Institutional Scrutiny
These contemplated removals intersect with documented operational strains at the facilities housing them. An unannounced inspection conducted on May 28 and 29, 2025, by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General captured severe overcrowding at the Krome North Service Processing Center. The resulting report, designated as OIG-26-29 and released in September 2026, revealed that the facility held 1,102 detainees against a maximum capacity of 882, running roughly 25% over capacity.
Federal inspectors cataloged widespread infrastructural failures during their visit. The findings cited inadequate access to functioning toilets, sinks, and showers, alongside systemic deficiencies in medical grievance protocols, staffing frameworks, and daily detention standards. Additional issues involved food storage protocols, unfulfilled detainee requests, and the handling of use-of-force incidents. ICE concurred with all nine corrective recommendations outlined in the inspector general’s report, though federal inspectors did not independently investigate the specific medical claims raised by Sendra’s family.
The practice of third-country deportation routes detainees away from their homelands into nations where they maintain no familial, cultural, or personal ties. While DHS asserts that individuals receive formal notice and that diplomatic safety assurances are secured ahead of transfer, advocates remain unconvinced that standard diplomatic guarantees can bridge the gap for patients requiring complex pharmacological interventions.
