Florida Detention Facility’s Use of Enclosures Violates Federal Standards

Immigrants at a Florida detention center, known as Alligator Alcatraz, were placed in small metal enclosures for periods of up to nearly two hours. This practice has been labeled by the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) internal watchdog as highly unusual and inhumane.

The staff at the facility had referred to these enclosures as ‘calming areas.’ However, investigators determined their use violated federal guidelines and failed to meet the standards for humane treatment of detainees. This information was detailed in a report by the DHS Office of Inspector General.

Images of the enclosures were included in the report, highlighting the conditions that prompted significant concern among officials and human rights advocates. These practices sparked an urgent call for adherence to federal standards to ensure the well-being and dignified treatment of individuals held in such facilities.