Raúl Suárez Herrero, a 59-year-old recently deported to Mexico, spent over 15 hours confined inside a metal cage measuring roughly 1.3 meters wide and 2.36 meters tall at the South Florida Detention Facility, according to a report from the US Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General. The facility, widely known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” was constructed in the Everglades to support federal immigration policies before Governor Ron DeSantis announced its closure in June.
Inside the Metal Cages at “Alligator Alcatraz”
Suárez states he ended up in the small enclosure after praying aloud for a sick young man. According to his interview with the television network Telemundo, facility staff placed him inside the structure around 1 p.m., and he wasn’t released until approximately 5 a.m. the following day. He describes the experience as being in hell.
The physical conditions inside the enclosure presented immediate hazards. Suárez notes that he could not stretch out flat on the floor and had to fight off sleep due to the constant threat of snakes entering from the surrounding Everglades swamp. “You can’t fall asleep, because then the snakes can come into the cage,” he tells Telemundo.
Did you know?
“Alligator Alcatraz” was established in the Florida Everglades as part of state-level backing for strict federal immigration measures implemented under President Donald Trump, before operations halted and detainees transferred out in June, as reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Disputed Timelines and Official Justifications
Discrepancies exist regarding how long detainees spent inside the controversial structures. While Suárez claims a 15-hour duration, facility records indicate that detainees were supposed to spend no more than two hours inside the cages. Staff members referred to the spaces as “calm areas” meant for agitated individuals to decompress.
Federal and state officials reject characterizations of the camp as inhumane. Representatives maintain that detainees received three daily meals, clean water, healthcare, clothing, and hygiene products. Alex Lafranconi, a spokesperson for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, defended the structures to The Guardian, stating that the cages were designated for violent detainees who failed to maintain composure, adding that officials would have built them smaller if possible.
Inspector General Findings and International Condemnation
A recent evaluation by the US Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General confirms that the enclosures were actively utilized. Inspectors conclude that these cramped spaces are highly unusual, fail to meet human treatment standards, and recommend that authorities never use them for detainees regardless of the reason or time frame.
Amnesty International previously categorized the deployment of the metal cages as torture. Despite the closure of the South Florida Detention Facility in late June, where governor Ron DeSantis oversaw the relocation of all remaining detainees amid razor wire and tent setups documented by AFP, the debate over the facility’s operational tactics continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was “Alligator Alcatraz”?
It is the common name for the South Florida Detention Facility, an immigration detention camp built in the Everglades that operated under state support for federal policies until its closure in June.
How long was Raúl Suárez Herrero kept in the cage?
Suárez states he was held for over 15 hours, from approximately 1 p.m. until 5 a.m. the next day, though facility logs claim a maximum limit of two hours.
What did federal inspectors say about the enclosures?
The US Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General concluded that the cages violate humane treatment standards and recommended they never be used again.
How did state officials defend the structures?
A spokesperson for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated the enclosures were intended for violent detainees who could not stay calm, telling The Guardian they would have made them smaller if possible.
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