Mandate a DHS Inspector General investigation into the facility’s conditions, costs, and impacts on detainees, the environment, and neighboring tribal lands.
Mandate a DHS Inspector General investigation into the facility's conditions, costs, and impacts on detainees, the environment, and neighboring tribal lands.
Occurrences
Shortly after our initial visit, we introduced the No Cages in the Everglades Act to prohibit the use of Federal funds for this appalling project or any other detention facility in the Everglades, require an independent investigation of State and federal laws violated in its construction and management, and permanently codify the rights of Members of Congress to conduct unannounced oversight visits wherever immigrants are detained.
Evidence
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
DHS said all detainees at the Florida state-run South Florida Detention Center had been transferred because of hurricane-season concerns, but it did not say whether the facility would close permanently or only temporarily.
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
The report says DHS announced detainees had been relocated, while environmental and tribal groups continued legal action over diesel generators, lighting pollution, stormwater runoff, and the site's impact on the Everglades and Miccosukee lands.
Assessments
The available evidence shows the facility remained controversial and detainees were later transferred, but it does not show that Lois Frankel successfully mandated a DHS Inspector General investigation or that such an investigation was completed. There is also no clear evidence in the record provided of a legislative or oversight action by Frankel that materially advanced the specific IG mandate, so full delivery or partial credit is not supported.