A group of women gathered outside the Federal Detention Center in downtown Miami on July 15, 2026, demanding humane treatment for their husbands who were transferred to the facility following evacuations from Krome Detention Center due to recent wildfires in the area.
The wives of several detained men have come forward with disturbing allegations about the conditions their loved ones are facing inside the federal facility. According to their accounts, detainees are being denied basic necessities including clean clothing, reliable access to drinking water, air conditioning, and essential medications.
Families Share Heartbreaking Stories of Detention
Among the most vocal advocates was Judith Castellanos, whose husband, 51-year-old Marlon Cervelo, has been held in immigration detention since 2023. Castellanos painted a picture of a man caught in the complex web of the immigration system after attending what was supposed to be a routine annual immigration appointment.
“He is my husband, my brother, my confidant, my everything. They want something similar to what they had in Krome,” Castellanos stated during the demonstration, expressing deep concern for her husband’s wellbeing and safety.
During the news conference, Castellanos received a phone call from her husband inside the facility. Cervelo reported that conditions remain extremely difficult for the detainees, citing the lack of air conditioning in the rooms and the absence of necessary medications as ongoing problems that have not been addressed.
The Federal Detention Center operates under the Federal Bureau of Prisons, not U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. While ICE coordinated the transfer of detainees to the federal facility after the wildfire evacuations, the Bureau of Prisons bears responsibility for the conditions inside the detention center.
Multiple Families Report Similar Concerns
The protest highlighted that Castellanos is not alone in her concerns. Several other women shared similar stories about their husbands’ detention experiences:
- Annette Uset reported that her husband, Daikel Dumont, is currently being held in solitary confinement under difficult circumstances
- Anisley Cortez expressed serious worry about her husband, 41-year-old Noslen Sendra, who suffers from diabetes and acute pancreatitis and allegedly is not receiving his required medications
- All three women indicated their husbands share similar immigration histories, having been detained after serving prison sentences for past criminal convictions
The cases are further complicated by the fact that Cuba has not accepted the deportation of these men, leaving them in an indefinite state of federal custody with no clear resolution in sight.
Bureau of Prisons Responds to Allegations
In response to the allegations, the Federal Bureau of Prisons acknowledged that the facility did experience some infrastructure problems in recent weeks. According to their official statement:
- Water pressure problems occurred on July 1, 2026, during which time inmates were provided additional bottled water while repairs were underway
- The water issue was reportedly resolved the following day
- One of the facility’s air-conditioning chillers malfunctioned on July 6, 2026
- Officials stated the air conditioning problem has been repaired and both chillers are now operating normally
Despite these assurances from federal officials, the families maintain that conditions inside the facility remain unacceptable. They have vowed to continue their advocacy efforts until they witness meaningful improvements in how their loved ones are treated.
Deportation to Third Countries Proposed but Rejected
According to the families, immigration officials have suggested that the detained men consider self-deportation to a third country as an alternative solution. However, all three men have declined this option, choosing to remain in federal custody rather than be sent to an unfamiliar nation.
When asked about her commitment to her husband, Castellanos did not hesitate in her response. She stated that if deportation to Cuba were ever to become an option, she would follow her husband without question, demonstrating the depth of family bonds that persist despite the challenges of prolonged detention.
Arianne Betancourt, an activist with the social justice organization The Workers Circle, joined the families in their call for basic human rights. Her message was clear and direct regarding the fundamental needs that should be guaranteed to all people regardless of their legal status.
The situation at the Federal Detention Center highlights the ongoing challenges facing immigrant families in the United States, particularly those caught between complex legal situations and the basic need for humane treatment while in government custody. As these families continue their fight, they hope their voices will bring about the changes their loved ones desperately need.
