ICE raids impact children of street vendors
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Newsweek
31 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Green Card Holder Detained in Alligator Alcatraz Speaks Out
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Cuban reggaeton artist and U.S. permanent resident Leamsy Izquierdo, known artistically as Leamsy La Figura, alleges that detainees at the newly opened "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention center in Florida are enduring unsanitary, cold and inhumane conditions. Newsweek reached out to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for comment. Why It Matters Izquierdo has been at the detention center since Friday. His case brings renewed attention to ongoing controversies about the treatment of detainees, particularly migrants and non-citizen residents, at U.S. immigration facilities. His arrest and subsequent transfer to an immigration detention site highlights the risks that green card holders face when charged with criminal offenses. The detention center, created quickly on Everglades land and now holding an estimated 400 people, has triggered concern from both human rights advocates and the Cuban-American community. But it's been widely praised by the Trump administration and many of the president's supporters. What To Know Izquierdo, 34, described long periods without showers, lack of basic hygiene supplies, inadequate food and constant lighting within the makeshift Everglades compound. "I haven't showered for four days, there's no water, no toothpaste, they don't let you out for even a minute," he said in a phone call with his partner, Katia Hernández. She later shared details about the call on Instagram and helped his situation gain traction with Cuban social media influencers, according to Ciber Cuba. "We are in a cage of metal bars with the lights on 24 hours a day, and the mosquitoes seem like elephants," he added. US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem holds up a sign encouraging undocumented migrants to "self-deport" during a roundtable discussion as she visits a migrant detention center, dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz," located at the site of the... US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem holds up a sign encouraging undocumented migrants to "self-deport" during a roundtable discussion as she visits a migrant detention center, dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz," located at the site of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee, Florida, on July 1, 2025. More ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images He also said the facility is "about minus two degrees," adding: "Everyone is in T-shirts, shaking, screaming their heads off. This is hell. There are no Latino officers, just African-American kids or super racist women." Izquierdo was transferred to the facility following a July 2 arrest on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and simple assault in Miami-Dade County. He was first taken to Turner Guliford Knight Correctional Center and then to Miramar before being transferred to Alligator Alcatraz. Hernández said that although Izquierdo paid a $6,000 bail, an "ICE hold" prevented his release. "He never attacked anyone," she told Telemundo 51, adding that he's a lawful permanent resident. "The police didn't give him time to explain." Alligator Alcatraz, located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Big Cypress National Preserve, opened in early July 2025 following rapid construction. Government officials established the center to hold hundreds of migrants in custody pending a review of their legal status and potential deportation proceedings. Others within the facility have expressed similar sentiments as Izquierdo and one Colombian national told NBC Miami he's been at the facility three days without his medicine. State officials have denied allegations of inhumane and unsanitary treatment at the detention center. "The reporting on the conditions in the facility is completely false," Stephanie Hartman, director of communications for the Florida Division of Emergency Management, told CBS News. "The facility meets all required standards and is in good working order." No independent oversight body has released findings related to the facility and officials have declined to confirm the total number of detainees, facility protocols, or eligibility for bail and visits, according to NBC Miami. A recent poll from YouGov also found that a plurality of Americans do not support the detention center. Forty-eight percent of Americans are opposed to Alligator Alcatraz, while just 33 percent said they support it. Eighteen percent of respondents were unsure how they felt about it. What People Are Saying Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said in a statement in late June: "Under President Trump's leadership, we are working at turbo speed to deliver cost-effective and innovative ways to deliver on the American people's mandate for mass deportations of criminal illegal aliens." Noem also wrote in a post to X: "Alligator Alcatraz can be a blueprint for detention facilities across the country. It will provide DHS with the beds and space needed to safely detain the worst of the worst." Bacardi Jackson, executive director of the ACLU of Florida, wrote in a statement: "As President Trump doubled down on his agenda of fear and division, we're reminded that this cruel and inhumane stunt is part of a broader strategy to expand the abusive mass detention machine, and in turn, criminalize and disappear members of our communities. Building a prison-like facility on sacred indigenous land in the middle of the Everglades is a direct assault on humanity, dignity, indigenous sovereignty, and the constitutional protections we all share." What Happens Next It remains unclear how long Izquierdo will be held at Alligator Alcatraz, or whether further review of his legal status will result in release, deportation, or prosecution in state or federal court.
Fox News
32 minutes ago
- Fox News
ICE swoops in on MS-13 kingpin hiding in America's heartland after investigation
EXCLUSIVE: United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations unit arrested an alleged MS-13 kingpin and MS-13 associate in Nebraska on Wednesday. The kingpin is on El Salvador's "Top 100 Most Wanted" list, but his name is not yet being released by authorities. He is wanted for "aggravated homicide of five victims, attempted aggravated homicide, deprivation of liberty and terrorist organization affiliation," according to an ICE press release. "These illegal aliens didn't just sneak into our country, they brought with them a legacy of violence, terror, and death," Mark Zito ICE Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge of Kansas City, stated. "They thought they could hide in America's heartland, but they were sadly mistaken, not on our watch." In addition, an alleged "MS-13 gang member and foreign terrorist" associate who is also wanted in the Central American nation for allegedly "giving orders" to members of the gang to commit a range of serious crimes such as murder and drug trafficking was also taken into federal custody, according to ICE. The arrest was considered "targeted enforcement action" in Omaha, with authorities saying the two were a "serious threat" to the area. The two were both living illegally in the U.S., and the investigation is being done by ICE and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. "When ICE agents move in to make an arrest, it is extremely important that the public not interfere," ICE acting Director Todd M. Lyons said in a statement. "The misinformation, and sometimes blatant lies, being spread around the country could result in someone stepping into a federal operation and suddenly finding themselves face-to-face with a killer who has nothing to lose." "Our ICE officers and agents are protecting your neighborhoods, even when you don't know the threat is there, so either support them, or get out of the way," Lyons added. In a video of the arrest on the road, one of the men is seen putting their hands up quickly after being stopped by agents wearing "ATF Police" and "Homeland Security Investigations" on their backs. The news release from ICE said that arrests went "without incident." The arrest comes as ICE has been doing enforcement operations all over the country, as the agency continues to highlight arrests of those with criminal charges and convictions.
Miami Herald
an hour ago
- Miami Herald
Popular restaurant chain slammed with lawsuit by undocumented workers
Fear and uncertainty of the future have never felt more real for immigrant communities, as new policy changes have made undocumented workers more vulnerable to deportation than ever, separating families and taking away their primary sources of income. Since President Donald Trump took office, his administration has significantly changed immigration policy and practices in the U.S. by pushing for stricter immigration laws, increasing border security, and expanding ICE's authority for immigration raids. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Additionally, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently ended Temporary Protection Status for many Latin American communities. This effectively revokes certain employment authorization documents for those whose parole has been terminated, therefore impacting thousands of immigrant workers. Related: Walmart, Sam's Club make huge investment after disastrous flood The department also announced that it would enforce regular E-Verification to identify if employees are eligible to work in the U.S. Amid the stricter immigration policies, a popular restaurant chain has now been accused of committing terrible acts against the immigrant community, only adding to this tumultuous situation. Image Source: Shutterstock Five anonymous plaintiffs have filed a lawsuit against The Cheesecake Factory (CAKE) with the U.S. District Court of Pennsylvania for allegedly hiring undocumented workers at a restaurant in Willow Grove and participating in employment discrimination, forced labor, and human trafficking. The plaintiffs claim the restaurant chain provided undocumented employees with fraudulent work authorization documents and abused and mistreated them at the convenience of managers and American staff. Related: Oldest LA restaurant permanently closing after 117 years As stated in the court document, The Cheesecake Factory purposefully recruited undocumented workers by promising them job security, not to the employees' benefit, but rather for the financial interest of the company. The restaurant chain allegedly forced the employees to work unpaid regular and overtime hours, while prohibiting them from taking bathroom and lunch breaks. They were also forced to work while unwell and under extreme conditions, leading some to develop medical issues. If the employees didn't work to management's standards, they were harassed, called racial slurs, and threatened with deportation. If the accusations are proven true, The Cheesecake Factory would face charges for violating the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Pennsylvania's Human Trafficking Act and Human Rights Act. More Food News: Burger King menu adds nostalgic drink after McDonald's backlashStarbucks' huge new rival opens first US storesPopular theme park denies major closure rumors The Cheesecake Factory denies all allegations and is sure the claims will be proven false. "The allegations in the complaint are entirely false and without merit. The company follows well-established internal protocols to ensure consistent compliance with all federal employment verification laws, including our obligations under Form I-9 requirements. We take these matters seriously and intend to vigorously defend against these baseless accusations through the appropriate legal channels. We are confident that the facts will clearly demonstrate the integrity of our practices," said The Cheesecake Factory Senior Vice President of Legal Services, Sidney M. Greathouse, in an email to The Street. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
