Additional Coverage:
- Detained immigrants at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ ‘fed worm-infested food’ as ‘wastewater floods floor’ (irishstar.com)
“Alligator Alcatraz”: Detainees Allege Inhumane Conditions at New Everglades Detention Center
Serious allegations of inhumane treatment are emerging from the newly opened Everglades immigration detention center, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.” Detainees describe squalid conditions, including worm-infested food, non-functional toilets overflowing with waste, insect infestations, and sporadic air conditioning failures in the sweltering Florida heat. Housed in tents, detainees report being confined to chain-link cages, with limited access to showers, prescribed medications, and communication with the outside world.
These accounts, obtained firsthand by the Associated Press and corroborated by attorneys and advocates, paint a starkly different picture than the one offered by officials. Stephanie Hartman, spokesperson for the Florida Division of Emergency Management, which constructed the facility, insists that the center “meets all required standards” and dismisses the reports as “completely false.” However, authorities have refused media access to the facility, fueling further concerns.
The facility, hastily erected on a remote airstrip surrounded by swampland, began receiving detainees on July 2nd, just days before President Trump’s visit. Trump and his supporters have lauded the center’s harshness and isolation, suggesting it as a national model. However, attorneys report that detainees include individuals with no criminal history and at least one teenager.
One Venezuelan detainee, speaking anonymously for fear of reprisal, described the living quarters as “zoo cages,” rife with mosquitoes and other pests. He also alleged psychological pressure to sign self-deportation documents.
Another detainee reported a hunger strike in protest of the conditions, and claimed a Cuban protester was placed in solitary confinement. These claims were categorically denied by Hartman, who maintains that detainees receive three meals a day, unlimited water, and access to necessary hygiene and medical care.
Attorneys, however, continue to raise concerns, citing difficulties accessing their clients and inadequate medical attention. One lawyer, Katie Blankenship, described a client who had not showered in days.
The wife of another detainee recounted similar issues, adding that the food contained worms. Lawyers argue that the detainees’ due process rights are being violated, with limited access to legal counsel and difficulty scheduling bond hearings.
While state legislators and members of Congress are scheduled to visit the facility on Saturday, a group of Democratic lawmakers has filed suit against the DeSantis administration, demanding access and greater transparency. The clashing narratives between officials and detainees, coupled with the restricted access, underscore the urgent need for a thorough and independent investigation into the conditions at “Alligator Alcatraz.”