DHS watchdog report finds migrants held in small cages at Florida detention center
A Department of Homeland Security inspector general report confirms that immigrants were kept in small outdoor metal cages at the now-shuttered Alligator Alcatraz facility in Florida.
Cage conditions and safety standards
Investigators found detainees were confined in outdoor metal enclosures measuring approximately 18 square feet. The Office of the Inspector General described this practice as unprecedented among detention facilities and dangerous to health. State officials ran the facility, but federal authorities paid for its operational costs.
Compliance with federal rules
The report states that guards used these restrictive cages in direct contravention of Immigration and Customs Enforcement rules. The investigation also noted failures to meet standards for hygiene, medical care, food, and health safety. A surprise inspection in January revealed the extent of these issues before the center closed.
3 outlets, different leads
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BBC News
Immigrants held in small outdoor cages at 'Alligator Alcatraz' in Florida, investigators find
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The Guardian
Alligator Alcatraz held detainees in cages the size of phone booths, DHS watchdog says
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The Hill
Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ confined migrants in 'small metal enclosures': DHS internal watchdog
Reported by
3 independent outlets. Headlines as published. Links open the original report.
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BBC News
Immigrants held in small outdoor cages at 'Alligator Alcatraz' in Florida, investigators find
bbc.co.uk → -
The Guardian
Alligator Alcatraz held detainees in cages the size of phone booths, DHS watchdog says
theguardian.com → -
The Hill
Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ confined migrants in 'small metal enclosures': DHS internal watchdog
thehill.com →