Relatives of seriously ill people held in two Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities in south Florida say U.S. authorities are preparing to deport their loved ones to African countries the detainees reportedly have no connection to, with flights scheduled as soon as Wednesday.
The claims come from families and the advocacy organisation Workers Circle, which says it has been monitoring conditions and speaking with detainees inside the two facilities. Relatives described the detainees as gravely ill and expressed alarm that transfers to third countries with which the detainees have no ties are being arranged while health conditions worsen.
Advocates raised concerns about the medical and logistical implications of such removals. They say deportation to countries unfamiliar to the detainees could disrupt continuity of care and complicate access to necessary treatment, particularly given the reported seriousness of the individuals' conditions.
Details about the specific destinations and the number of people affected were not provided by the families or the advocacy group. The workers and relatives emphasised that the planned flights would send people to "third countries" in Africa rather than to their countries of origin or to locations where they have established ties.
Workers Circle said it has been in touch with detainees and is monitoring developments at the two south Florida facilities. The group and relatives are pressing for clarity on travel plans and medical arrangements as the reported window for deportations approaches.