A Cuban man who has lived in the U.S. for over 25 years denounces inhumane conditions at the Alligator Alcatraz detention center: "They treat us like dogs."

Jesús Martínez, a Cuban immigrant who arrived in the United States in 1997 and built his life in South Florida, has become the new voice of criticism regarding the conditions faced by hundreds of people detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). From inside the controversial detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz," located in the remote Florida Everglades, Martínez spoke exclusively with the program. Virtual Meeting from Telemundo 51, revealing a reality marked by isolation, abuse and uncertainty.

During the interview, Martínez explained that, despite having served a federal sentence for conspiracy charges, he hoped to rebuild his life once his debt to justice was settled. However, his situation took an unexpected turn when he was transferred by ICE to the Krome North Processing Center (now nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz" by activists and the media), a facility built in a remote area surrounded by swamps and alligators, with no easy access to the media or family visits.

"In conditions like dogs, the bathrooms overflow, the floor is covered in excrement, they take us out to eat whenever they want, they take us out to eat the same thing at nine o'clock at night as at twelve o'clock at night, they treat us like dogs," said the Cuban.

These complaints, according to various human rights organizations, are not isolated. Several testimonies describe unsanitary conditions, lack of adequate medical care, verbal abuse, and long periods of detention without clear access to effective judicial processes.

The situation is even more serious for Cuban citizens, who often cannot be deported due to the Havana regime's refusal to accept them. This circumstance has created a legal limbo where people like Martínez can remain detained for months or even years, with no possibility of being returned to their country and no real option of legally reintegrating into American society.

Martínez's story has generated immediate reactions among activist groups in Miami, where thousands of Cuban exiles reside. Immigration lawyers have warned that many of their clients are in similar conditions: detained indefinitely, without clear information about their immigration processes, and under a stricter policy pushed by the Trump administration, which has reinstated prolonged detention practices for people with criminal records, even if they date back decades and have already been legally resolved.

“The case of Jesús Martínez is emblematic,” said a defense attorney who has followed several similar cases in South Florida. “He's a person who has already served his sentence. What's happening to him isn't justice; it's a double penalty.”

The detention center where Martínez is being held has been criticized since its opening for its geographic isolation and lack of independent oversight. Located in a difficult-to-access swampy area, activists have dubbed it "Alligator Alcatraz" for its similarities to the notorious maximum-security prison in San Francisco, but this time surrounded by hostile nature, contributing to an even more oppressive psychological environment for detainees.

Martínez's interview has also raised questions about the use of such facilities and the treatment of undocumented immigrants, especially in contexts where deportations are legally impractical. Despite multiple public complaints, ICE has not issued statements in response to Martínez's allegations or offered details about current conditions inside the facility.

Organizations such as the ACLU, Human Rights Watch, and Americas Watch have previously called for independent inspections of immigration detention centers, including those located in remote areas of Florida, Texas, and Louisiana. According to these organizations, many of the centers operate with little oversight and under private contracts that prioritize operational efficiency over inmate well-being.

Meanwhile, Jesús Martínez continues to await a resolution to his case. From his prison cell, he maintains hope of regaining his freedom and reuniting with his loved ones in Miami, although he admits that the situation is becoming more distressing with each passing day.

"I had a conspiracy problem in 2002. I signed a deportation order in 2007, and since then, 18 years ago, I've complied with all the regulations," he said from Alligator Alcatraz, where he has been since July 9.

Martínez's case, highlighted by her interview on Encuentro Virtual, could become a turning point in the public debate on the prolonged detention of immigrants and the urgent need for immigration reform with a humanitarian focus.

Several Cuban citizens have been arrested in recent weeks and sent to the controversial Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention center. Those detained include legal residents, asylum seekers, and people with I-220A forms, who have no criminal records.

One of the most notorious cases is that of Jorge González de Dios, who was arrested during a routine stop despite being subject to legal proceedings. Cuban reggaeton artist Leamsy Izquierdo, known as "La Figura," was also detained on charges of assault with a weapon. Another example is Jesús Martínez, who arrived in the U.S. in 1997 and was arrested while attending an immigration appointment, despite having served a sentence nearly two decades earlier.

From inside the center, detainees have reported inhumane conditions: spoiled food, the presence of worms and insects, limited medical care, and prolonged confinement without contact with lawyers or family members. These complaints have been supported by human rights organizations, religious leaders, and legislators who are demanding the center's closure or federal intervention. Faced with public and legal pressure, immigration authorities began transferring numerous Cubans to the Krome Detention Center in South Florida on July 16. Although the state government denies allegations of mistreatment, the case has sparked intense debate about the limits of immigration policy and respect for human rights in the United States.