Unregistered migrant facility on Alligator Alcatraz revealed through phone calls made during emergencies
In the heart of the Florida Everglades lies the Alligator Alcatraz detainee center, a facility that has found itself at the centre of a heated debate.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has denied reports of a hunger strike at the facility, calling them "fake news" in social media posts and official statements as recently as early August 2025[1][2][3][5]. However, multiple reports from detainees and advocacy groups, as well as CNN, indicate that at least a dozen detainees have engaged in a hunger strike for nearly two weeks to protest poor conditions, including lack of food, unsanitary toilets, and mistreatment by guards[1][3]. One specific Cuban detainee, Pedro Lorenzo Concepción, confirmed to local media that he had gone 14 days without food as a form of protest, though DHS maintained there was no widespread hunger strike at the facility[5].
Regarding incidents requiring emergency medical services, there has been at least one reported case where a detainee appeared to have suffered a minor stroke, with his family seeking medical assistance on his behalf via a 911 call from Miami-Dade County[2]. Additionally, broader reports of poor and neglectful medical care, including dismissive or abusive treatment of detainees in medical crises, have been documented in related Florida immigration detention centers[4]. There are no public reports specifically stating that staff members required emergency medical services.
One emergency call requested emergency medical services for a person who had chipped a bone and suffered facial injuries at the facility. Another call referred to a person who had passed out but was breathing intermittently, with the identity of the individual unclear.
It's important to note that the number of accidental 911 calls from the facility was about 30, made by staff members who inadvertently dialed 911 from their cell phones.
Alligator Alcatraz has faced several lawsuits over its conditions and limited access to legal representation. The facility continues to be a subject of controversy, with conflicting accounts surrounding the hunger strike and the conditions within its walls. The status of the hunger strike remains disputed, with DHS denying it and detainees affirming it. Emergency medical incidents have been reported but appear isolated and limited to detainees, with no reported incidents involving staff.
Science has reported on the poor health conditions at Alligator Alcatraz, linking them to the ongoing hunger strike protest among detainees, raising concerns about the detainees' health-and-wellness [1][3]. On the other hand, general-news outlets have covered the crime-and-justice aspect of the facility, with multiple lawsuits filed against Alligator Alcatraz due to its questionable practices [2][4].
