O’Copy, Fla. (WFLA) – A hunger strike at the Florida immigration detention center, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” reaches day 9 as detainees protest against the facility’s adverse living conditions.
According to NBC affiliate WTVJ, one of the detainees on the strike, Pedro Hernández, has been hospitalized, but this has not discouraged him from continuing to refuse food.
His wife, Daimarys Hernández, told reporters he feared he might be deported to Cuba alone or die in custody.
Pedro Hernandez has been in the United States since 2006 and was arrested four years later after being deported. Hernández was taken into custody in July during regular check-in at ICE. He has been in custody ever since.
“My husband was in prison. We make mistakes, but we learn from them and fix things,” said Dymarise Hernandez.
WTVJ reported that Democratic leaders held an emergency town hall in Coconut Grove on Thursday, demanding reform amidst the hunger strike, spurring anger from community members.
Supporters of the facility, including Senator Rick Scott, have expressed support for President Trump’s immigration policy, but added that things should be handled in a humane way.
