If you drive far enough west on Tamiami Trail, past the strip malls and the suburban sprawl of Miami, the landscape starts to flatten out into the sawgrass and swamp of the Everglades. It’s out there, tucked away at 18201 SW 12th Street, Miami, FL 33194, that you’ll find the Krome North Service Processing Center. Most locals just call it "Krome." Honestly, if you aren't looking for it, you might miss the turnoff, but for thousands of people every year, this patch of land is the most significant—and stressful—geographic coordinate in their lives.
Krome is basically the nerve center for immigration enforcement in the Southeastern United States. It isn't a "jail" in the traditional criminal sense, yet it's surrounded by high fences, topped with razor wire, and patrolled by armed guards. It’s a place of contradictions. It’s where asylum seekers wait for a chance at a new life and where others wait for the plane ride that takes them away from the only home they’ve known for decades.
A Cold War Relic Repurposed
You’ve got to understand the history to get why Krome feels the way it does. This isn't just a modern office building. Back in the 1960s, during the height of the Cold War, this site was a Nike Hercules missile base. It was built to defend Miami from Soviet bombers.
Fast forward to 1980. The Mariel boatlift brought over 125,000 Cubans to Florida shores in a matter of months. The government needed a place to process the influx, and the old missile base was sitting there, remote and ready. What started as a temporary solution became permanent. By the late 90s and early 2000s, Krome had evolved into the high-security Service Processing Center (SPC) it is today.
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The Reality Inside Krome in 2026
Conditions at Krome have always been a lightning rod for controversy. Even now, in 2026, reports from organizations like Amnesty International and the ACLU of Florida highlight a system under immense strain.
Recently, the facility has faced heavy criticism for overcrowding. While the official "contractual capacity" sits around 611 detainees, data from late 2025 showed population spikes reaching nearly triple that number during peak enforcement periods. When the buildings get too full, ICE often utilizes a "tent facility" on the grounds. These aren't camping tents—they're large, industrial structures—but they lack the climate control and privacy of the main dorms.
People staying there often describe a "factory" atmosphere. Here’s what the daily reality looks like for many:
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- Sleeping arrangements: In the main dorms, men sleep in large, open pods. During surges, some end up on plastic "boats" (floor bunks) because the actual beds are full.
- The "Ad Hoc" Medical System: One of the biggest complaints in 2025-2026 has been medical neglect. Instead of a standard sick call, some units reportedly have a system where medical staff only see a handful of people from each pod per day. If you have a toothache or a skin rash, you might be waiting a while.
- The Courtroom: There is a fully functioning immigration court on-site, operated by the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). This means many detainees never even leave the property for their hearings; they just walk down a hallway to see a judge.
Knowing the Rules: Visitation and Contact
If you have a loved one at krome detention center southwest 12th street miami fl, the bureaucracy can be a nightmare. You can't just show up and expect to get in.
First, krome is a male-only facility. If you’re looking for a female relative, they’re likely at the Broward Transitional Center or another regional hub.
Social Visitation
Visitation is typically non-contact, meaning you’re talking through glass or via a video screen.
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- Weekdays: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM (usually split by the first letter of the detainee's last name).
- Weekends: 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
- Pro Tip: Arrive at least 45 to 60 minutes early. The security screening is intense. They will check your ID (must be a valid government photo ID), and you cannot bring cell phones, bags, or even extra cash into the visiting area.
The Dress Code (Don't Ignore This)
They are incredibly strict about what you wear. If your skirt is more than two inches above the knee or you’re wearing flip-flops, they will turn you away at the gate. It doesn't matter if you drove three hours to get there. Wear closed-toe shoes and modest clothing.
The Legal Battleground
For lawyers, Krome is a high-stakes environment. Attorney-client visits have much broader hours—usually 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily—but the "remote" nature of the facility makes it hard for many detainees to find affordable counsel.
The National Immigration Project and other advocacy groups have filed numerous complaints regarding the treatment of Black immigrants at Krome, alleging systemic racism and higher rates of solitary confinement for certain populations. This isn't just "activist talk"; these are formal civil rights complaints filed with the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.
Actionable Steps: What to do if someone is detained
If you find out a friend or family member has been picked up and taken to Southwest 12th Street, don't panic, but do move fast.
- Get the A-Number: This is the 9-digit Alien Registration Number. You need this for everything—locating them, sending money, and checking court dates.
- Use the Online Locater: Check the ICE Detainee Locator first. It can take 24–48 hours for the system to update after an arrest.
- Check the Court Date: Call the EOIR automated case information line at 1-800-898-7180. Input the A-number to see if a hearing has been scheduled at the Krome court.
- Send Money for Phone Calls: Detainees cannot receive incoming calls. They have to call you. You’ll need to set up an account through a service like Talton Communications or GTL so they have funds to dial out.
- Secure an Attorney: If there is any way to afford a private immigration lawyer, do it. If not, ask the facility for the "Pro Bono List." It’s a list of non-profits like Americans for Immigrant Justice that might be able to help, though they are usually stretched thin.
Krome isn't going anywhere. Despite decades of calls to close it, its role as a "processing hub" makes it too central to the government’s infrastructure. Navigating it requires patience, a thick skin for bureaucracy, and a clear understanding that at the end of Southwest 12th Street, the rules are different than they are in the rest of Miami.