The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) watchdog has expressed concerns about conditions at a now-closed immigrant detention center in Florida known as “Alligator Alcatraz.” The issues raised may also apply to another major Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) site in the state.

Report Highlights

A report from DHS’ Office of Inspector General (OIG) exposed several issues. Some immigrants were confined in small, phone-booth-sized boxes for up to two hours. The facility faced severe overcrowding while federal and state agencies lacked clear responsibility guidelines.

“It is torture, locking people up outside in the Florida summer, in a cage, exposed to the elements,” said Thomas Kennedy from the Florida Immigration Coalition to Newsweek. Alligator Alcatraz, located in the Everglades, closed earlier in the summer, and similar problems could arise at the Deportation Depot, as noted by the OIG.

Alligator Alcatraz operated under federal detention standards similar to those of past administrations. However, a DHS spokesperson told Newsweek that claims of inhumane conditions are false.

Findings on ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

The January 2026 OIG inspection found at least 1,800 detainees in a facility that provided only 28 square feet per person, far less than the required 75. Housing units built for 32 held nearly triple that number of occupants. Photos showed metal cages with bunk beds within white tents.

Inspectors noted 79 detainees placed in 18-square-foot enclosures between July 2025 and January 2026. These structures held detainees for up to two hours, usually as a disciplinary measure, raising serious health concerns.

Accountability Issues

There was uncertainty about the operation standards to follow, federal or state. The DHS stated it wasn’t responsible as the site was state-run, but OIG argued ICE must maintain oversight.

Thomas Kennedy referenced a lawsuit concerning 287(g) agreements, allowing state control over immigration detainees, noting the lack of federal legal agreements for the facility. This indicated the detention center was largely state-managed, aiming to avoid federal standards.

Persistent Concerns

As Florida expands its 287(g) program under Governor Ron DeSantis, concerns linger at facilities like Baker Correctional Institution. The OIG notes similar contractual discrepancies, indicating continued scrutiny is necessary.

When asked if the OIG report would lead to accountability, Kennedy was skeptical, citing a lack of repercussions for financial mismanagement and security vendors, despite spending over a billion dollars of state funds.