Immigrants detained at a former Florida facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz” were held in small outdoor metal cages for extended periods, according to a report released by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) inspector general.
The investigation by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) described the use of approximately 18-square-foot enclosures as “unprecedented” and dangerous. The watchdog concluded that the facility failed to meet various standards regarding hygiene, medical care, food quality, and general health and safety.
The OIG conducted a surprise inspection in January of this year at the site, which had gained notoriety as one of the country’s most controversial immigration detention centers. Founded in 2025, the center was built over eight days within the Everglades, a protected wetland habitat for alligators. In a remark that drew criticism from civil rights advocates, then-President Donald Trump joked that detainees would need to learn to flee the reptiles.
Although the federal government covered operational costs, DHS officials stated in their response to the report that the state of Florida held authority over day-to-day operations. The facility was established through an executive order signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, who announced its closure in June 2026, citing its temporary nature.
According to the report, 79 immigrants were confined to the small metal enclosures between July 2025 and January 2026. Officials at the facility labeled these spaces “calming areas” intended for de-escalation and solitude. Detainees were held in the cages for periods ranging from minutes to nearly two hours on at least one occasion as a disciplinary measure.
“The use of such restrictive spaces is highly unconventional and does not align with standards for humane treatment,” the report stated.
Further allegations from detainees included the denial of necessary medication and regular showers. Inspectors found that showers were infested with small bugs and were only available three times a week. The facility also provided insufficient living space, forcing detainees to remain in cramped conditions within their housing units for most of their time. Additionally, immigrants reported lacking access to clean drinking water and being unable to wash the plastic cups used for hydration.
The BBC has contacted DHS’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Governor DeSantis’s office for further comment.
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