Two Mexican brothers who were detained at Alligator Alcatraz —the controversial detention center located in the heart of the Everglades in Florida— were deported to their country, without facing charges and with their documents in order, reported the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE) of Mexico.
Carlos Martín González, 26 years old, and Óscar Alejandro, 30, who had been apprehended in Orlando on July 7, were repatriated to Mexico this weekend, as a result of consular efforts and collaboration with specialized lawyers, confirmed Roberto Velasco Álvarez, head of the North America Unit of the SRE.
“Both are already in our country without charges and with their valid documents,” Velasco stated on the social media platform X, while acknowledging the “arduous work” of the Mexican consulates in the cities of Orlando and Miami in assisting with this case.
The official also highlighted the work of a lawyer from the External Legal Advisory Program and partners from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
“The dialogue with local and federal authorities facilitated the voluntary departure of the young people this weekend,” he emphasized.
The case of the González brothers generated significant attention both nationally and internationally after details of their arrest and detention in the notorious immigration detention center emerged, located amidst the famous wetlands of Florida and known for its extreme isolation conditions.
Carlos Martín was arrested after committing a minor traffic violation while driving in the city of Orlando, and was taken to Alligator Alcatraz, despite having a valid tourist visa and having entered the United States legally.
Óscar Alejandro was also captured by the police when he went to help his brother. He is married to a U.S. citizen, but his residency permit in the U.S. had expired.
The father of the young people, Martín González, told the newspaper El País that at the time of the arrest, the traffic officers seized their documents and mobile phones. “They are locked up and no one is allowed in,” he reported. “All their civil rights are being violated.”
On the previous Tuesday, during her regular morning press conference, the president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, confirmed that 14 Mexican citizens were detained in “Alcatraz of the Alligators” and her government was taking the necessary steps for their immediate repatriation, reported the network CNN.
More than 55% of migrants detained in Alligator Alcatraz were from Guatemala (22%), Mexico (21.5%), and Cuba (11.6%), according to a joint investigation by the newspapers The Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times released in the middle of this month.
The report, based on official records accessed by both media outlets, confirmed that 95% of the more than 700 migrants held at the facility come from countries in Latin America, although there are individuals from over 40 different nations.
The research also revealed that more than 250 of those detained are facing only immigration violations, without any history of violent crimes. Meanwhile, one-third have some type of criminal record.
The United States government began executing air deportations of irregular migrants from Alligator Alcatraz days ago.
When announcing the start of expulsions from the controversial detention center in the Everglades, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis did not specify how many flights have been conducted, but he recalled that the Trump Administration ordered the expulsion of approximately 800,000 foreigners, of which between 50,000 and 75,000 resided in Florida.
The detention center Alligator Alcatraz was inaugurated on July 1 in an abandoned airstrip in the swampy area west of Miami. Its initial capacity is 2,000 detainees, with projections to expand to 4,000, according to the director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), Kevin Guthrie.
The operation of the center has sparked a wave of criticism. Days after its opening, dozens of activists and relatives of migrants protested outside the facility, describing it as a “concentration camp” and a “dog cage.”
A group of lawyers requested an immediate intervention from a federal judge regarding what they describe as a massive violation of rights, as hundreds of immigrants have been held in the immigration detention center without formal charges, without access to court hearings, and with no federal court acknowledging jurisdiction over their cases.
Frequently Asked Questions about Detention and Deportation in Alligator Alcatraz
Why were the González brothers deported from Alligator Alcatraz?
The brothers Carlos Martín and Óscar Alejandro González were deported to Mexico without facing charges, thanks to consular efforts and the work of specialized lawyers who facilitated their repatriation. Despite the critical conditions and their detention at the controversial Alligator Alcatraz center, they ultimately returned to their country with their documents in order.
What is Alligator Alcatraz and why is it so criticized?
Alligator Alcatraz is an immigration detention center located in the Everglades of Florida, known for its extreme isolation conditions and human rights violations. Opened in July 2025, it has faced severe criticism due to the inhuman conditions in which detainees are held, the majority of whom have no criminal charges and only face immigration violations.
What nationalities are predominant in Alligator Alcatraz?
In Alligator Alcatraz, more than 55% of the detainees are from Guatemala, Mexico, and Cuba. According to research, 95% of the over 700 migrants come from Latin American countries. These figures reflect the high concentration of Latin American migrants in the controversial detention center.
What are the conditions inside Alligator Alcatraz?
The conditions in Alligator Alcatraz have been described as inhumane. Detainees face overcrowding, spoiled food, extreme temperatures, lack of drinking water, and inadequate medical assistance. These conditions have been severely criticized by lawmakers, activists, and human rights organizations.
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