Burundi-bound US removal flights may depart Florida this week

Relatives of detained migrants and human rights advocates say US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may soon deport seriously ill people held at two detention centres in Florida to African countries, including Burundi. The Workers Circle organisation said the flights could take place as early as this week.

Key facts

• Timing: flights could happen as early as this week, according to the Workers Circle.
• Destinations: two flights to Africa are planned, likely to the Central African Republic and Burundi.
• Facilities involved: Krome North in Miami and the Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach.
• Who is affected: seriously ill detainees, including people with heart conditions, stroke risk and diabetes.
• Background: the US Supreme Court approved third-country deportations last month.

What is being planned?

Immigration lawyer Shalyn Fluharty said that, based on information from detainees, two flights to Africa are planned, likely to the Central African Republic and Burundi. Arianne Betancourt, a migrant rights representative at the Workers Circle, said detainees had been called in for interviews with staff responsible for deportations.

According to Betancourt, detainees were allegedly told that Mexico would not accept them because of their health conditions, so they would be sent to Africa instead.

Who is affected?

The people concerned are held at Krome North in Miami and the Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach. Both facilities are privately operated on behalf of ICE.

Fluharty warned that long flights could be particularly dangerous for people with heart conditions, a risk of stroke, or diabetes, who need regular meals and insulin. She also said that during previous deportations people were shackled by their hands, legs and waist, and that those who complained were sometimes placed in full-body restraint devices that restricted movement. She linked those details to earlier deportations rather than to confirmed details of the planned flights.

What conditions have been reported at the centres?

Among the detainees who may be deported is 41-year-old Cuban national Noslen Sendra, held at Krome North. His wife, Anisley Cortes, said he has uncontrolled diabetes and acute pancreatitis, for which he spent several weeks in hospital earlier this year. She said he has lost more than 50 pounds while in detention and has not received medication or enough food.

Last month, government inspectors reported severe overcrowding at Krome: 1,102 people were held at the centre, whose maximum capacity is 882. The report said this jeopardises the facility's safe and orderly operation, and inspectors also recorded an insufficient number of working toilets, sinks and showers.

A spokesperson for the US Department of Homeland Security asked for the detainees' personal information in response to an inquiry, but did not provide a further response after receiving information about Sendra.

Why is this happening?

The US Supreme Court last month approved the practice of deportations to so-called third countries. Hundreds of detainees have already been deported to at least a dozen African states with which they had no ties.

What this means for travellers

The planned flights concern detainees facing removal from the United States rather than ordinary visitors. Anyone with relatives in ICE detention at Krome North or the Broward Transitional Center should be aware that removals to African countries, including Burundi, are being discussed and that interviews with deportation staff have taken place.

No exact flight dates, airline details or flight numbers have been announced.