The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has responded to several allegations regarding conditions at the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility, stating that claims of inhumane treatment and misconduct are false.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin addressed recent reports: “Nearly every single day, my office responds to media questions on FALSE allegations about Alligator Alcatraz. The media is clearly desperate for these allegations of inhumane conditions at this facility to be true,” said McLaughlin. “No feces are overflowing from toilets. Just like no one has died. Incinerators are not being used for nefarious purposes. These types of smears are directly contributing to our ICE officers facing a 1000% increase in assaults against them. Here are the facts: Alligator Alcatraz does meet federal detention standards. All detainee facilities are clean. Any allegations of inhumane conditions are FALSE. When will the media stop peddling hoaxes about illegal alien detention centers and start focusing on American victims of illegal alien crime?"
Among the specific claims addressed was the assertion that detainees have died at the facility; DHS stated that no deaths have occurred at Alligator Alcatraz.
Another allegation suggested incinerators were being misused within the facility, which DHS denied, labeling such accusations as baseless and harmful comparisons.
Regarding an incident involving detainee Luis Manuel Rivas Velasquez, DHS clarified that he fainted and was transported to a hospital as a precautionary measure, emphasizing that all detainees have access to appropriate medical care.
Claims about unsanitary food and flooding toilets were also rejected by DHS, which reiterated that all facilities meet federal standards and remain clean.
In response to concerns over legal representation for detainees, DHS maintained that there is space available for attorneys to meet with clients and noted additional measures by Florida authorities allowing attorneys to contact their clients via email requests.
Reports of a hunger strike were attributed by DHS to misinformation spread by Pedro Lorenzo-Concepcion, whom they identified as a convicted drug trafficker; officials insisted no hunger strike took place.
Finally, allegations concerning disease outbreaks or flooding within the facility were dismissed by DHS, which reported no cases of COVID-19 or tuberculosis and confirmed there is no flooding inside Alligator Alcatraz.
DHS concluded its statement noting that similar unsubstantiated claims have surfaced before regarding immigration detention centers.
