Headline: Investigators Find Immigrants Held in Small Outdoor Cages at Florida Detention Centre

Date: 14 September 2026

Tags: US Immigration, Human Rights, Florida, Politics

Summary:

• US investigators found immigrants were held in small outdoor metal cages at Florida’s now-closed “Alligator Alcatraz” detention centre.

• The cages measured approximately 18 square feet and were described by officials as areas for detainees to calm down.

• Investigators called their use unprecedented among detention facilities and inconsistent with standards for humane treatment.

• Between July 2025 and January 2026, 79 immigrants were placed in the enclosures for periods reaching nearly two hours.

• Investigators found at least one instance where an enclosure was used as a disciplinary measure.

• The facility also failed to meet standards covering hygiene, medical care, food, health and safety.

• Detainees were reportedly permitted to shower three times weekly, with investigators finding small bugs in shower facilities.

• Investigators also found insufficient living space, creating cramped conditions for people spending most of their time inside housing units.

• Detainees told investigators they lacked clean drinking water and could not properly clean their reusable plastic drinking cups.

• Florida established the temporary facility in 2025, while the federal government funded operating costs before its 2026 closure.

Why this matters: The findings raise questions about detention conditions and responsibility for maintaining humane standards within US immigration facilities.

What’s next: The findings could increase scrutiny of federal and Florida authorities over the operation and oversight of immigration detention centres.