At least 250 detained immigrants in the controversial facility known as Alligator Alcatraz, located in the Florida Everglades, have no criminal records or pending charges in the United States, according to records obtained by the Miami Herald and the Tampa Bay Times.
The center, inaugurated on July 1, 2025, and promoted by the administration of Donald Trump as a space to detain "the most vicious on the planet," currently houses more than 700 people in tents and chained cells built on an abandoned runway.
However, the data shows that about a third of those arrested have not committed any crimes in the U.S., and many of them are only facing administrative violations related to their immigration status.
Among the detained immigrants are individuals from about 40 countries, with the majority coming from Mexico, Guatemala, and Cuba.
The report from the Miami Herald reveals that the ages of the detainees range from 18 to 73 years old. Some arrived in the country under legal programs, such as humanitarian parole and have pending asylum cases, as is the case with Denis Alcides Solís Morales, a 56-year-old Nicaraguan who was arrested following a traffic stop and has no criminal record in the U.S.
The Department of Homeland Security responded to the inquiries by stating that “the absence of charges in the United States does not mean that these individuals are innocent.”
The spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated that many of those classified as “non-criminals” could be “terrorists, gang members, or human rights violators” with no criminal records documented in the country. Nonetheless, she acknowledged that all detainees committed an offense by entering the country illegally.
The official stated that the Trump administration is "putting the American people first by expelling illegal immigrants who pose a threat to our communities."
"70% of ICE arrests have been of criminal illegal aliens with convictions or pending charges," he claimed.
The center is under the supervision of the state of Florida, not ICE, as emphasized by officials such as high-ranking federal official Thomas P. Giles.
State authorities have not responded to requests for comments from the Miami Herald, and civil organizations along with lawmakers have raised concerns about the conditions at the facility and the legality of detaining individuals with no criminal record.
During an official visit on July 12, Florida lawmakers observed that detainees were wearing colored bracelets –yellow, orange, and red– as a code to classify the alleged severity of their violations, although no details were provided regarding the criteria used.
The group of congress members and state legislators from Florida observed insects in the mattresses, showers, and toilets without privacy, temperatures between 83 and 85 degrees in areas that were supposedly air-conditioned, and portions of food that were “small and inadequate.”
Democrats agreed that 32 men are confined in cages, sleeping on basic bunks and sharing three toilets with integrated sinks.
Frequently asked questions about the "Alligator Alcatraz" detention center
How many people are detained in Alligator Alcatraz without criminal charges?
More than 250 people detained in Alligator Alcatraz have no criminal charges in the United States. These individuals have no criminal records and, for the most part, they are only facing administrative violations related to their immigration status.
What are the detention conditions in Alligator Alcatraz?
The conditions at Alligator Alcatraz have been reported as degrading and inhumane, with extreme overcrowding and a lack of privacy. Detainees sleep on basic bunks, share few toilets, and face elevated temperatures and the presence of insects. These conditions have been criticized by lawmakers and human rights organizations.
Why has Alligator Alcatraz been built in the Everglades?
The detention center was built in an abandoned airport in the Everglades due to its natural isolation, surrounded by wildlife that serves as a security barrier against escapes. However, this location has faced criticism for its environmental impact and for using the natural surroundings as part of a punitive detention system.
What has been the political reaction to the opening of Alligator Alcatraz?
The opening of Alligator Alcatraz has generated strong criticism from Democratic lawmakers and civil organizations, describing it as a cruel and dangerous political stunt. Both the detention conditions and the spending of $450 million on no-bid contracts for its construction and operation have been denounced.
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