DeSantis defends Florida's Alligator Alcatraz, dismisses claims it violated detention standards

Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis dismissed a report Monday that found the state's "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention center did not comply with a slew of federal and state detention standards. 

The report from the Department of Homeland Security’s independent watchdog found that the center kept detainees in “small metal enclosures” that facility staff described as “calming areas” for up to almost two hours, according to Politico.

DeSantis defended the use of the detention center, stating the facility had been inspected and defended the state’s immigration enforcement tactics. He also claimed only illegal migrants with "serious issues" were detained there.

“I think some of this stuff is going to be characterized in a certain way, no matter what,” he told reporters at a news conference. “But I can tell you, when they set it up, their goal was not only to meet the federal standards, but to actually exceed the federal standards."

The report criticized the use of small metal enclosures, claiming it was unlike anything the team had seen before. 

“The use of such restrictive spaces is highly unconventional and does not align with standards for humane treatment,” the report said.

It also criticized the tightly packed lodging area, where up to 32 detainees were kept in units that should have held no more than 11 people to meet state standards.

The report, which was based off of an unannounced visit to the facility in January, also claimed that the facility was not clear on what set of federal standards it followed.

“The absence of well-defined standards at detention facilities increases the risk that detainees may not receive appropriate care,” the report said.

The report comes after DeSantis announced in June that the facility was officially shutting down. DHS had concluded the facility, which opened last summer, would be too expensive to operate. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.