A new report from inspectors at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirms that some immigrants at the "Alligator Alcatraz" detention center in Florida were held in cages smaller than a phone booth. These cages measured 4 by 4 feet (approximately 16 square feet) and were used as a place to punish immigrants. This report is the first to confirm the existence of such cages at this facility.
Poor Conditions and Criticism
The inspectors' report also references criticism regarding the inhumane and inadequate conditions at this center. In previous reports, Amnesty International described these cages as a form of torture based on interviews with dentists and visits to the facility, calling for congressional investigations. DHS inspectors noted in their report that the use of such confined spaces is unusual and unacceptable and does not align with standards of humane treatment.
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History and Establishment of the Detention Center
The "Alligator Alcatraz" detention center was established in July 2025 in Everglades and was built by the Ron DeSantis administration. This center was created as part of the 287(g) agreement between the state and the federal government, which allows state agencies to perform specific immigration enforcement duties. Under this agreement, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is responsible for overseeing this facility.
However, the Department of Homeland Security has claimed that it has no authority over the daily operations of this center and that there is no contract with the state of Florida to manage it. These statements were made in response to criticisms and questions raised about the conditions of immigrant detention at this facility.
Responses and Consequences
Ron DeSantis's office, the governor of Florida, has not responded to requests for comments regarding this report. DeSantis and Trump described the center during their visit as part of their efforts for widespread deportations of immigrants. However, the use of temporary housing units and the vulnerability of detainees to harsh weather conditions immediately drew criticism from Democrats and immigrant rights advocates.
The detention center was closed in June 2026, and DeSantis announced that it was always intended to be a temporary facility. Immigrants were either returned to their home countries or transferred to other federal centers. Amnesty International's report from this center in September 2025 described inhumane and unsanitary conditions, including overflowing toilets and exposure to insects and 24-hour light.
According to the inspectors' report, 79 immigrants were held in these metal cages measuring 16 and 18 square feet over a six-month period from July 17, 2025, to January 18, 2026. The average detention time was approximately one hour, with the longest time reported for any individual in these cages being nearly two hours. These conditions and the first official confirmation of such cages have drawn significant attention and may lead to further investigations in the future.
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