They called it a “calming area.” A federal watchdog found that 79 detainees at Alligator Alcatraz were confined in metal enclosures offering about 18 square feet of floor space, some for nearly two hours. And when Florida officials were asked about the cage? Gov. Ron DeSantis’ communications director said the administration would make it “even smaller” if it could.
Nearly 80 immigrant detainees who were held at Florida’s makeshift detention center, known as Alligator Alcatraz, were briefly held in small metal enclosures for “periods ranging from several minutes to nearly 2 hours,” according to a federal watchdog report. CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez reports.
The Department of Homeland Security’s internal watchdog provided new details about conditions at the now-shuttered Florida detention center.
The facility has faced lawsuits from immigrant advocates since it opened.
The $1.2 billion migrant detention center in the Florida Everglades housed more than 25,000 detainees since July 2025.
Florida officials have announced the closure of the "Alligator Alcatraz" migrant detention center due to hurricane threats and high operational costs.
The “Alligator Alcatraz” migrant detention facility, built by Governor Ron DeSantis (R) in Florida, is set to close due to hurricane safety concerns and high operational costs. PULSE POINTS WHAT HAPPENED: Florida officials have announced the closure of the “Alligator Alcatraz” migrant detention center due to hurricane threats and high operational costs. DETAIL: The 3,000-bed facility in the Everglades was evacuated earlier this month as a precaution against hurricanes, which are expected from June to November. The detainees have been relocated to other facilities. The detention center can only endure winds up to 74 miles per hour, equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane or tropical storm. Constructed in eight days on the site of an…Open
The billion-dollar Florida migrant detention facility known as "Alligator Alcatraz" is reportedly closing just weeks before its one-year anniversary of opening. Florida officials cite safety concerns with the upcoming hurricane season.
Florida lies adjacent to the Caribbean Sea and is often the point of landfall for many severe storms.
All detainees at the detention center in the Florida Everglades, known as "Alligator Alcatraz," have been transferred to other facilities, the Department of Homeland Security said, citing concerns related to the hurricane season.
All detainees at the detention center in the Florida Everglades, known as "Alligator Alcatraz," have been transferred to other facilities, the Department of Homeland Security said, citing concerns related to the hurricane season.Open
The Florida immigration detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz" is expected to close soon, according to multiple sources.