OCHOPEE, Fla. — Detainees held at Florida’s controversial “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration detention facility have alleged that guards withheld food, water, and medication while pressuring them to sign documents they could not understand, according to accounts provided to an immigrant advocacy organization.
In a recorded phone call reported by The Guardian, several detainees claimed they were presented with English-language documents and told to sign them despite not knowing their contents. The men alleged that after refusing, access to food, drinking water, and medication became limited.
Some detainees also claimed that water provided at the facility in recent days contained dirt, insects, and mosquito larvae. One detainee alleged that lunch was withheld while guards continued requesting signatures on the documents. Others reported concerns about delayed medical treatment for individuals with chronic health conditions, including diabetes and high blood pressure.
The allegations were relayed through the Workers Circle, an immigrant advocacy group that has communicated with detainees and their families. Noelle Damico, the organization’s director of social justice, described the reported conditions as a potential violation of basic human rights and due process protections.
The Florida Department of Emergency Management, which oversees the facility, has previously denied allegations of mistreatment. In a statement issued in May regarding separate complaints, department officials said medical staff and pharmacy services are available around the clock for detainees.
The facility, located in the Florida Everglades and operated on behalf of federal immigration authorities, has faced repeated criticism from advocacy groups and lawsuits alleging poor detention conditions. State officials have consistently denied claims of abuse, and the latest allegations have not been independently verified.
Sources:
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
