DHS Report Reveals Immigrants Held in Tiny Outdoor Cages at Florida Detention Site
New DHS report exposes immigrants held in cramped outdoor cages at 'Alligator Alcatraz' in Florida. Details on conditions and costs.
POLICY WIRE — Washington, United States — A new report by the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general has revealed that some immigrants were held in small outdoor enclosures, roughly the size of a telephone booth, at a now-closed Florida detention facility known as ‘Alligator Alcatraz.’
The findings mark the first official confirmation of the confined spaces used to detain individuals, which Amnesty International previously described as resembling torture. The report highlights the unconventional nature of the setup, noting that the cages did not meet standards for humane treatment.
The facility, opened in July 2025 in the Everglades under Gov. Ron DeSantis, was part of a state-federal partnership allowing local law enforcement to assist with immigration enforcement. Despite claims from Homeland Security that it had no authority over daily operations, ICE personnel were present, and detainees received materials stating the site was under ICE jurisdiction.
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The metal enclosures measured 4-by-4 feet or 16 square feet, significantly smaller than the minimum 37-square-foot requirement for single-person holding rooms. Over six months, 79 detainees were placed in these areas for an average of nearly an hour, with the longest stay recorded at about two hours. Staff described them as “calming areas” for emotional de-escalation.
Amnesty International, which visited the facility in September 2025, reported unsanitary conditions, including overflowing toilets and exposure to insects. Detainees described being shackled in the cages for extended periods without adequate water or shade. The watchdog report found that while the use of such spaces is unusual, it does not meet humane treatment standards.
The facility, which cost taxpayers over $1 billion, operated at a daily rate exceeding $3,000 per detainee—far higher than the typical ICE bed cost of less than $200. It shut down in June 2025, with officials claiming it was always intended to be temporary. No immediate response was received from DHS or DeSantis’s office regarding the report.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
