Conditions at the Everglades Detention Center: A Deep Dive into "Alligator Alcatraz"

The Everglades detention center, colloquially known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” was opened in July 2025 by President Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and then-Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. Located in Ochopee, Florida, the facility has garnered significant criticism for its treatment of detainees, particularly from the nearby Miccosukee tribe, which has filed lawsuits alleging that the construction of the center proceeded without proper consultation or environmental impact assessments.

The Bulwark

Reports from various sources indicate that conditions at the Everglades detention center are dire. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) described the living quarters as “cages,” highlighting the lack of privacy and sanitation, with multiple detainees sharing limited facilities. She noted that the environment is so poor that it has been labeled a “monument to cruelty.” The facility has been the subject of legal scrutiny, having been ordered closed by a district judge last summer due to the ongoing lawsuits, only to be reopened shortly thereafter by appeals court judges appointed by Trump.

The Bulwark

Thomas Kennedy, a Florida immigration activist, reported that conditions have deteriorated further in recent months. Following a federal judge's order for detainees to have access to unmonitored legal calls, guards allegedly cut off phone access entirely. This led to increased violence within the facility, including severe beatings of detainees. One incident involved Raiko Lopez Morffi, who sustained multiple injuries during an altercation with guards. Reports also mention a punishment area known as “the box,” where detainees are subjected to extreme heat and physical restraints, raising concerns about human rights violations.

The Bulwark

The detainee population at the Everglades facility is predominantly Cuban, many of whom had previously supported Trump. This demographic shift has prompted discussions about changing political allegiances among Latino voters, as evidenced by the election of Miami's new Democratic mayor, Eileen Higgins. Kennedy noted that many family members of detainees express frustration over the treatment of their loved ones, with sentiments shared in group chats reflecting a growing disillusionment with Trump’s policies.

The Bulwark

Wasserman Schultz emphasized that the conditions at the Everglades detention center are intentionally designed to instill fear among immigrants, suggesting that the harsh environment aims to deter individuals from seeking asylum in the United States. She stated, “They want to make it so awful people self-deport.” This perspective underscores the broader implications of the detention center as part of Trump’s mass deportation strategy.

The Bulwark

While many reports detail the harsh conditions and alleged abuses at the Everglades detention center, there is a lack of comprehensive data on the exact number of detainees affected and the full extent of the alleged abuses. Additionally, the responses from the Department of Homeland Security and other officials regarding these allegations remain limited, leaving critical gaps in the public understanding of the situation.

The Bulwark

• “The Everglades is meant for our tribes, it protects life, it shields it. It’s not meant to detain life,” — Miccosukee Tribe Member

The Bulwark

• “It’s a vile, disgusting place that you would never want anyone you care about to spend five minutes in, let alone be warehoused in cages there,” — Debbie Wasserman Schultz, U.S. Congresswoman

The Bulwark

• “They want to make it so awful people self-deport,” — Debbie Wasserman Schultz, U.S. Congresswoman

The Bulwark

The Everglades detention center remains a focal point of controversy, reflecting broader issues of immigration policy and human rights in the United States.

The Bulwark