'Alligator Alcatraz': Report Details Disturbing Immigrant Detention Conditions

A new report from the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General has detailed troubling conditions at a Florida immigrant detention facility, controversially dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz." Investigators discovered immigrants were held in small outdoor metal enclosures, which staff referred to as "calming areas" for de-escalation. The temporary detention center, located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in the Florida Everglades, operated from July 2025 to June 2026.

The report found that nearly 80 detainees were confined in these enclosures, measuring approximately four feet by four feet and nearly eight feet tall, for periods ranging from several minutes to almost two hours between July 2025 and January 2026. The Inspector General’s office deemed this practice "highly unconventional" and "unprecedented," stating it does not align with "standards for humane treatment" and poses "significant risks to detainee health and safety."

Beyond the outdoor cages, the investigation uncovered further inhumane conditions, including cramped, windowless housing units, insufficient space per detainee, infrequent showering, and bug infestations in shower areas. Amnesty International also previously reported on "cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment" at the facility, citing issues such as overflowing toilets, limited access to showers, and poor quality food. The facility was established amid a broader immigration crackdown and operated under the authority of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.