Report finds 'Alligator Alcatraz' held immigrants in cages the size of phone booths

In January, the Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General (OIG) released a report detailing inhumane conditions at Florida's now-closed Alligator Alcatraz detention facility. The report confirmed that detainees were held in outdoor cages no larger than telephone booths for up to two hours, which is highly unconventional and does not align with standards for humane treatment. These cages were used as "calming areas" to manage detainees' emotions, according to policy documents.

The OIG investigation also found numerous violations of basic hygiene, medical care, food quality, and environmental health standards. The facility was established by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis through an executive order, but the federal government paid for operational costs. Despite this, DHS denied having authority over day-to-day operations at Alligator Alcatraz.

Amnesty International previously reported similar conditions and alleged human rights abuses at the camp, which sparked a congressional probe. Critics argue that $1.2 million in daily taxpayer funds spent on the facility became a political liability for DeSantis due to lawsuits and allegations of environmental impact and mistreatment of detainees.