‘Alligator Alcatraz’ held migrants in phone-booth-sized cages, DHS watchdog finds
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Neutral summary
A new report by the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general found that some immigrants detained at the now-shuttered “Alligator Alcatraz” facility in Florida were confined in small metal enclosures roughly the size of a phone booth, used as “calming areas.” The report, released Monday, said the center, located in the Everglades and run by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, violated federal standards for hygiene, medical care, food and safety. The facility, which became a symbol of President Trump’s mass deportation campaign, operated from July 2025 until June 2026, when it was closed amid legal disputes and rising costs. Inspectors also raised concerns that another major Florida detention facility could have similar oversight and standards issues.
How it was framed
Outlets: 22. Countries: 8. Facts in the shared core: 5.
Publication timeline
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NBC News (outlet profile)
Immigrants held in outdoor cages the size of phone booths at ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ watchdog says. WASHINGTON — Some immigrants detained at Florida’s now-shuttered “Alligator Alcatraz” were confined in outdoor cages only…
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The New York Times (outlet profile)
‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Used Small Cages as ‘Calming Areas,’ Report Says. The Department of Homeland Security’s internal watchdog provided new details about conditions at the now-shuttered Florida detention center.
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NBC News (outlet profile)
Report finds 'Alligator Alcatraz' held immigrants in cages the size of phone booths. A report from the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general found that some immigrants detained at the now-shuttered "Alliga…
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Folha de S.Paulo (outlet profile)
Relatório aponta uso de jaulas de aço para 'acalmar' presos na 'Alcatraz dos Jacarés', na Flórida. Um centro estadual de detenção de imigrantes na Flórida deixou de cumprir uma série de normas federais, criando condiçõe…
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UOL (outlet profile)
Relatório aponta uso de jaulas de aço para 'acalmar' presos na 'Alcatraz dos Jacarés', na Flórida
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BBC News (outlet profile)
Immigrants held in small outdoor cages at 'Alligator Alcatraz' in Florida, investigators find. DHS inspectors say they found the immigration-detention centre violated basic standards for hygiene, medical care, food and…
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Forbes (outlet profile)
‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Put Detainees In Cages The Size Of Phonebooths, DHS Inspector Found. The facility was shut down in June.
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Clarín (outlet profile)
Reporte oficial constata uso de jaulas y otros abusos a inmigrantes en Alligator Alcatraz. El informe del DHS revela abusos y hacinamiento en Alligator Alcatraz, donde se usaron jaulas como castigo para migrantes deteni…
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The Independent (outlet profile)
Alligator Alcatraz held immigrants in phonebooth-sized cages to ‘manage their emotions,’ watchdog finds. DHS Inspector General discovers bug-infested showers, cramped conditions and lack of clean water and safe food
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The Hill (outlet profile)
Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ confined migrants in 'small metal enclosures': DHS internal watchdog. A new report reviewing the conditions at the now-closed Alligator Alcatraz center in Florida slammed U.S. Immigration…
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Daily Mail (outlet profile)
Explosive report into Trump's now-closed 'Alligator Alcatraz' migrant detention facility reveals small cage 'calming areas' and other deplorable conditions. The new report cited 'significant risks' to migrants' health a…
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Aristegui Noticias (outlet profile)
Reporte oficial constata uso de jaulas y otros abusos a inmigrantes en Alligator Alcatraz. Alligator Alcatraz, construida en un antiguo aeródromo aledaño al ecosistema del Parque Nacional de los Everglades, una reserva…
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Newsweek (outlet profile)
After 'Alligator Alcatraz' DHS Watchdog Raises Alarm About Future Oversight. Inspectors said Florida's other major detention facility could hold similar concerns on standards and oversight.
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The Independent (outlet profile)
Alligator Alcatraz put immigrants in small cages to calm them down, DHS watchdog finds
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The Independent (outlet profile)
'Alligator Alcatraz' detainees were held in small metal cages, federal report says. Detainees at a now-closed immigrant detention center in the Florida Everglades — known as “Alligator Alcatraz” — were held for up to tw…
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Clarín (outlet profile)
Detenidos en "Alligator Alcatraz" estaban en celdas del tamaño de una cabina telefónica. Migrantes fueron confinados en cabinas minúsculas en un centro clausurado de Florida, reveló un informe del DHS, destacando su car…
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CBS News (outlet profile)
Alligator Alcatraz had cramped conditions, "small metal enclosures," watchdog finds. DHS's internal watchdog is sharply criticizing conditions in a Florida immigration detention center dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz," findi…
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Le Monde (outlet profile)
Etats-Unis : des migrants enfermés dans des mini-cellules grillagées à l’« Alcatraz des alligators », rapporte le DHS. Le centre de rétention, situé en Floride, a fonctionné pendant un an, entre début juillet 2025 et ju…
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G1 (outlet profile)
Detidos em "Alcatraz dos Jacarés" ficavam em celas do tamanho de uma cabine telefônica. Washington, Estados Unidos, 14 Set 2026 (AFP) - Alguns imigrantes foram alojados temporariamente em celas minúsculas, do tamanho de…
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El Nacional (outlet profile)
Las jaulas en las que eran encerrados los migrantes en el "Alcatraz de los caimanes" de Florida. La inspección del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional concluyó que la instalación administrada por el estado violó normas m…
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Sydney Morning Herald (outlet profile)
‘Alligator Alcatraz’ put detainees in metal cages labeled ‘calming areas’. Detainees at the notorious Alligator Alcatraz were put in cages the size of phone booths.
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Sydney Morning Herald (outlet profile)
Detainees at Trump’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ were held in small metal cages, federal report says. Dozens of detainees were confined in “calming areas”, according to a report confirming that conditions at the notorious immi…
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O Globo (outlet profile)
'Alcatraz dos Jacarés': Presídio para imigrantes na Flórida mantinha detentos em jaulas do tamanho de cabines telefônicas. Antes de ser fechado, o centro de detenção de imigrantes conhecido como "Alcatraz dos Jacarés",…
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El Economista (outlet profile)
Migrantes fueron confinados en jaulas en “Alligator Alcatraz”. El informe de la oficina del inspector general concluyó que el centro de detención no cumplía las normas en atención médica, servicio de alimentos, higiene…
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Le Monde (outlet profile)
Des migrants ont été enfermés dans des mini-cellules grillagées en Floride, une pratique « sans précédent » aux Etats-Unis. Le centre de rétention, situé en Floride, a fonctionné pendant un an, entre début juillet 2025…
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BBC News Brasil (outlet profile)
As jaulas para imigrantes presos descobertas na 'Alcatraz dos Jacarés' na Flórida. Inspetores do DHS dos Estados Unidos afirmam que o centro de detenção de imigrantes descumpria normas básicas de higiene, atendimento mé…
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Terra (outlet profile)
As jaulas para imigrantes presos descobertas na 'Alcatraz dos Jacarés' na Flórida. Imigrantes presos na "Alcatraz dos Jacarés", um centro de detenção na Flórida atualmente ...
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L'Humanité (outlet profile)
« Alcatraz des alligators » de Donald Trump : des exilés enfermés dans des cages de la taille d’une cabine téléphonique, selon une enquête. Des exilés ont été placés temporairement dans des mini-cellules grillagées de l…
Factual core
- The immigration-detention centre in Florida is nicknamed 'Alligator Alcatraz'.
- The DHS Inspector General's report found cramped conditions at the 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention center.
- A U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) facility nicknamed 'Alligator Alcatraz' held detainees in cages the size of phone booths.
- DHS inspectors found the Florida immigration-detention centre violated basic standards for safety.
- The report was produced by the Department of Homeland Security's internal watchdog.