A report by the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general reveals that some immigrants detained at the now-closed South Florida Detention Facility, referred to as 'Alligator Alcatraz,' were confined in outdoor cages measuring approximately 4-by-4 feet for more than an hour at a time. This is the first official confirmation of the existence of these cages. The report states that the use of such restrictive spaces is 'highly unconventional and does not align with standards for humane treatment.'
Amnesty International previously reported on the conditions at the facility, claiming that the cages were used as punishment, which led to a congressional investigation. The inspector general's findings are notable as they represent one of the few instances of public criticism of the Trump administration by a federal inspector general.
The facility, which opened in July 2025, was part of a 287(g) agreement allowing state and local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws. The report indicates that while ICE personnel were present at the facility, the Department of Homeland Security denied having authority over daily operations.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, when asked about the report, stated he had not read it but claimed the facility was inspected to meet and exceed standards. The facility was closed in June 2026, with detainees either deported or transferred to other federal facilities. Amnesty International's report highlighted severe conditions, including overflowing toilets and inadequate protection from the elements, and described the cages as a form of torture.
The inspector general's report noted that ICE provided detainees with a handbook indicating that Alligator Alcatraz was an ICE facility, despite the lack of a formal contract for operational oversight.