The Cuban migrant Pedro Lorenzo Concepción ended the hunger strike he had been on for 17 days, after officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) assured him that his name is not on the list of "deportable" individuals.
The information was confirmed by Concepción himself in a video call with El País, the outlet that revealed the outcome of the protest.
Concepción, 44 years old, was feeling weak and could barely walk when he decided to start eating again on Friday night at the Krome detention center in Florida, where he was transferred after beginning the protest at the controversial migration center known as Alligator Alcatraz.
His first meal, he recounted, was rice, fish, and corn; on Saturday, he had cereal for breakfast. “I managed to eat it, with effort,” he told the Spanish newspaper.
The Cuban had started the hunger strike on July 22 to demand clarity regarding his immigration status and to denounce the conditions of confinement at Alligator Alcatraz, a facility surrounded by complaints of overcrowding, lack of medical care, poor nutrition, and absence of privacy.
“I am no longer in control of my life on the streets; ICE picks me up whenever they want… Since my life no longer belongs to me, it’s up to them to decide whether I live or die,” he stated earlier to El País.
During his protest, he was hospitalized due to his weakened state of health and required a wheelchair to move around.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initially denied the existence of the hunger strike, labeling the reports as "inaccurate and unfounded accusations."
However, following the media coverage and the transfer of Concepción to Krome, ICE acknowledged his protest and informed him that he will not be deported.
Residing in the United States since 2014, Concepción lost her permanent resident status after serving a sentence for drug-related offenses and credit card fraud.
Although he has already paid his debt to justice, he has faced recurrent detentions by ICE. His wife, Daimarys Hernández, fears that any change in his status could separate him from her and their two children.
“If you made a mistake and paid for it, why does it continue to haunt you after all these years?” Hernández pondered in previous statements.
A center under scrutiny
Inaugurated in July 2025 at an old airport in the Everglades, Alligator Alcatraz has been labeled by activists and human rights organizations as a “concentration camp” for migrants. With a capacity for 2,000 detainees, which will be expanded to 4,000, it has been the site of protests, lawsuits, and reports of inhumane conditions.
As Pedro Lorenzo Concepción regains his strength, his case becomes a symbol of the tension between U.S. immigration policy and the human rights of detainees, especially for Cubans who live under the constant shadow of potential deportation.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Pedro Lorenzo Concepción Case and the Alligator Alcatraz Detention Center
Why did Pedro Lorenzo Concepción start a hunger strike?
Pedro Lorenzo Concepción has started a hunger strike to demand clarity regarding his immigration status and to denounce the conditions of confinement at the Alligator Alcatraz detention center. During his protest, he highlighted the lack of privacy, poor food, and inadequate medical care as major issues. Additionally, he expressed his despair over the uncertainty of his future and the constant fear of being deported.
What is the current status of Pedro Lorenzo Concepción after the hunger strike?
Pedro Lorenzo Concepción suspended his hunger strike after 17 days, after authorities assured him that he is not on the deportable persons list. Although he was weakened by the end of the strike, he has begun to eat again and is currently at the Krome detention center in Florida, where he continues to recover.
What complaints exist about the Alligator Alcatraz detention center?
The Alligator Alcatraz detention center has been the subject of serious complaints regarding inhumane conditions, including overcrowding, poor nutrition, lack of medical attention and privacy, and degrading living conditions. Activists and human rights organizations have compared the center to a "concentration camp" and have demanded a review of the immigration practices and policies implemented there.
What has been the reaction of the U.S. government to the hunger strikes at Alligator Alcatraz?
The U.S. government initially denied the existence of hunger strikes at Alligator Alcatraz, labeling the reports as "inaccurate and unfounded accusations." However, under media pressure and the evidence presented, they acknowledged the protest by Pedro Lorenzo Concepción. Authorities have been criticized for their lack of transparency and inadequate response to the conditions reported at the facility.
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