Group alleges that detainees are being subjected to 'torture' at Alligator Alcatraz

A major international human rights organization has accused South Floridas Alligator Alcatraz detention facility of subjecting immigrant detainees to severe mistreatment, describing some of the conditions as tantamount to "torture."

According to a report by Amnesty International, individuals held at this state-run facility in the Everglades, as well as at the federally-operated Krome North Processing Center in Miami, are facing harsh punitive measures. Previous media coverage described Krome as extremely oppressive, with one detainee calling it "hell on earth."

The Amnesty report details punishments at Alligator Alcatraz, including confinement in a box, a 2x2-foot cage-like space where detainees may be restrained by their feet, exposed to the elements for hours, and given minimal water. One interviewee stated, People ended up in the box just for asking the guards for anything. I saw a man remain there for an entire day.

Conditions in the facility are reported as unsanitary, with overflowing toilets contaminating sleeping areas, limited access to showers, insect exposure without protection, constant lighting, poor food and water quality, and a lack of privacy including surveillance cameras over toilets.

Immigration enforcement must operate within the law and respect human rights. What is happening in Florida should alarm the region, said Ana Piquer, regional director for the Americas at Amnesty International.

The organization notes that ICE officials disagreed with the findings but did not provide further details. A spokesperson for Governor Ron DeSantis dismissed the report as politically driven and claimed investigations showed the allegations were false. Concerns were raised that unverified reports could endanger staff and detainees.

Amnesty International compiled its findings between September 21 and 26. While they visited Krome, they were denied access to Alligator Alcatraz and relied on interviews with four detainees who had previously been held there. The report also highlights inconsistent or absent medical care and limited outdoor time for detainees. Phones are available but monitored and restricted to short, collect-only calls.

The report recommends closing Alligator Alcatraz, ending local-federal immigration enforcement agreements that lead to detention, banning solitary confinement at Krome, and guaranteeing detainees access to legal counsel. Amnesty concludes that these measures systematically dehumanize and punish migrants, undermining due process and violating U.S. obligations under international human rights law.

Background on Alligator Alcatraz

Alligator Alcatraz is one of two state-run immigration detention centers in Florida, the other being Baker Correctional Institution. Opened in July on the former Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport site, the facility has faced multiple lawsuits. Critics argue that the state failed to conduct proper environmental reviews and that federal funds implicate federal oversight. Operations were temporarily paused in August but resumed in September after a federal appeals court decision. In October, federal reimbursement of over $500 million to the state drew further criticism.

Miccosukee Tribe Chairman Talbert Cypress emphasized protecting ancestral lands and holding authorities accountable for environmental compliance, stating, By protecting nature, we protect humanity. We hope to soon end this dark chapter of history in the Big Cypress.

Author: Caleb Jennings