DHS Watchdog Reveals Immigrants Held in Phone Booth-Sized Cages at Florida Facility

Concerns over conditions at the Florida immigration detention center, known as 'Alligator Alcatraz,' had circulated for some time. The facility was operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and located in the Everglades region.

Reports from advocacy groups and detainees occasionally surfaced, but details about specific practices were limited. The situation drew national attention only after a formal investigation by the Department of Homeland Security's internal watchdog.

In June 2026, the 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention facility was shut down, but reasons for the closure were not widely discussed at the time.

On September 14, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general released a report detailing the treatment of detainees at the facility. According to NBC News, the report revealed that some immigrants were confined in outdoor cages barely larger than telephone booths. Detainees could spend more than an hour at a time in these enclosures.

The report described these cages as 'calming areas,' but investigators found that their use posed significant health and safety risks. ABCNews.com noted that the cages were small metal enclosures, and the conditions were described as deplorable by several media outlets.

The watchdog's findings drew immediate attention from lawmakers, advocates, and the public, prompting renewed scrutiny of federal immigration detention standards.

The 'Alligator Alcatraz' facility remains closed as of mid-September 2026. The Department of Homeland Security and its inspector general have not announced any criminal investigations, but their report has reignited debate over how immigrants are treated in U.S. detention centers.

There are growing calls for broader reforms and greater oversight of immigration enforcement, especially regarding the use of confinement practices like those uncovered in Florida.

Advocates and lawmakers are pressing for further investigations into other detention centers to determine if similar practices exist elsewhere. Oversight hearings and policy reviews may follow as the issue remains in the public eye.