The detention center named 'Alcatraz dos Jacarés,' which combines references to local fauna and the famous San Francisco Bay island prison, operated in Florida (southeastern part) for one year, from July 2025 to June 2026.
In January 2026, the DHS Office of Inspector General conducted a surprise inspection of the facility. In its report, dated Friday, the agency noted that between July 17, 2025, and January 18, 2026, 79 people were held in individual barred cells with 'a floor area of about 1.67 square meters,' for periods ranging 'from several minutes to almost two hours.'
The internal investigation highlighted that 'the use of these small barred cells, regardless of the reason, has no precedent among detention centers inspected by the Office of Inspector General.' The Inspector General also emphasized that 'holding people in such places poses significant risks to the health and well-being of detainees.'
Furthermore, the document states that 'the use of such limited space does not comply with standards of human dignity.' The report authors reported that center staff describe these barred cells, measuring approximately 1.30 m by 2.40 m, as 'quiet zones' intended to 'allow detainees to calm down and spend some time alone.'
It was noted that migrants were not locked in these premises, although investigators found locking mechanisms. Other violations were also identified, including overcrowded dormitories, lack of medical care, and poor sanitary conditions.
Before the center opened in the summer of 2025, Donald Trump visited 'Alcatraz dos jacarés.' The center, consisting of windowless white tent pavilions, was hastily erected on an abandoned airport in the middle of the Everglades swamp. At the time, the US President ironically remarked: 'We have a lot of lizard-shaped police officers,' while several migrants told the France-Presse (AFP) agency about the terrible detention conditions.
