Authorities respond after detainees at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ allege ‘torturous’ conditions with ‘maggots in food’

A new immigration detention center in South Florida, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” has been making headlines not for its efficiency or design, but for disturbing reports coming from inside.

The facility, which was built astonishingly fast in just eight days was converted from a nearly abandoned airport and now houses hundreds of detainees. But people held there say conditions are so bad, they feel like they’re being experimented on.

Some detainees have come forward to describe the conditions as inhumane and even torturous. Among them is Cuban reggaeton singer Leamsy La Figura, who said he and others have gone without clean water and proper meals.

He claimed food was served only once a day and sometimes had maggots in it. He also reported that he hadn’t been able to bathe for days, that bright lights are kept on 24/7, and the place is overrun by mosquitoes. “The mosquitoes are as big as elephants,” he said during a call from inside the center.

Another detainee described the experience as being like “rats in an experiment.” He said that despite having legal residency documents, he and others are being detained without understanding why. He also questioned whether the poor conditions were intentional, saying, “I don’t know their motive for doing this, if it’s a form of torture.

Others have echoed the same concerns. A man from Colombia said he was close to a mental breakdown after being denied access to his medication for several days. His Bible had been taken away, and he couldn’t sleep because of the harsh, constant lighting in the facility. “I’m on the edge of losing my mind,” he said.

The facility officially opened on July 3, with the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) announcing the arrival of the first group of detainees. On social media, they praised the rapid construction and credited Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and federal agencies, including DHS and ICE, for making it happen.

Former President Donald Trump visited the center shortly before it opened, touting it as part of his continued effort to deport undocumented immigrants, particularly those with criminal records. The facility is reportedly designed to hold up to 3,000 people.

However, concerns about safety and human rights have surfaced almost immediately. Videos posted online show stormwater flooding parts of the facility, including areas close to electrical wiring—raising serious safety concerns. Officials claim that the flooding was caused by a recent storm and that the seams in the structures have since been reinforced to prevent further water intrusion, but it’s unclear how secure the facility will be in future severe weather.

Despite the criticism and serious complaints from detainees, officials have continued to defend the center. A spokesperson for the White House called Alligator Alcatraz a “state-of-the-art” facility and a vital part of Trump’s plan to quickly remove undocumented immigrants with criminal backgrounds. The Biden administration has not publicly commented in response to the allegations made by detainees.

As of now, human rights advocates and legal experts are raising alarms about potential violations at the site. They’re urging independent investigations into the conditions and treatment of detainees, many of whom say they’ve been stripped not only of their freedom but of their dignity and basic needs.