Alligator Alcatraz held detainees in cages the size of phone booths, DHS watchdog says
Summary
A federal report found that a Florida immigration detention center, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” locked detainees in small metal cages the size of phone booths, which did not meet government standards for humane treatment. The facility, run during President Trump’s administration, was closed in June 2026 after reports of poor conditions and health risks.Key Facts
- The Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general reported detainees were repeatedly kept in metal cages around 18 square feet in size.
- ICE rules require single-person spaces to have at least 37 square feet, nearly twice the size of these cages.
- The cages were used between July 2025 and January 2026, even after human rights groups exposed the practice.
- The facility was called the Florida Soft-Sided Facility (FSSF) and operated in the Florida Everglades.
- Guards said cages were “calming areas” for detainees to be alone, but at least one case showed cages used for punishment.
- The detention center was run by Florida’s government under Governor Ron DeSantis and closed partly due to hurricane risks.
- Critics raised concerns about poor living conditions, health and safety risks, as well as the high cost of running the facility.
- Democratic senators had previously questioned the use of these cages, calling the treatment harsh.
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