DHS Report Criticizes Conditions at Florida’s Alligator Alcatraz Detention Center
The Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general released a critical report on the conditions at “Alligator Alcatraz,” a Florida immigration detention center now closed. It found detainees in cramped enclosures, sometimes as small as 18 square feet, for up to two hours. The 33-page report followed an unannounced inspection of the facility earlier this year.
Initially promoted by Trump administration officials as a model for expanding detention space, Alligator Alcatraz faced criticism from advocacy groups over poor conditions. The DHS denied these claims. The facility, closed since June, used soft-sided tents divided into dormitory-style units with bunk beds, enclosed by metal fencing. These units lacked common areas, providing only 28 square feet per detainee, less than half of Florida’s 75-square-foot requirement.
The report expressed concern over potential harm to detainees’ health, given limited recreation and shower access. Detainees had one hour of recreation three days a week and showers on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. ICE standards require six hours of recreation weekly, while Florida standards mandate daily showers.
Inspectors also reported “small metal enclosures” 52 inches long and wide, described by staff as calming areas. These were unconventional and recommended for removal. Detainees reportedly used these enclosures for privacy, with doors left unlocked, but the report noted instances where they were possibly used for discipline.
Detainees stayed in these enclosures for less than two hours on average. The inspector general found the use of such enclosures unprecedented and risky for detainee health. The staff could not specify detention standards, increasing the risk of inadequate care.
Alligator Alcatraz had faced criticism from Democratic lawmakers, immigration attorneys, advocacy groups, environmental organizations, and a Native American tribe worried about the facility’s impact. Immigration and Customs Enforcement held detainees accused of violating federal immigration laws.
State and federal officials defended the site, with President Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis touring the facility in 2025. A DHS spokesperson claimed conditions were consistent with standards from prior administrations, including Biden and Obama.
CBS News has requested comments from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, which operated the facility.