‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detainees face human rights violations, report alleges | First Thing
In a harrowing revelation, Amnesty International has published a report detailing the inhumane treatment of detainees at a Florida immigration facility colloquially known as “Alligator Alcatraz.” The report alleges that individuals held at the facility were shackled and confined in a 2-foot-high metal cage, left outside without access to water for extended periods—sometimes up to 24 hours. This shocking discovery has reignited discussions about the treatment of immigrants in detention centers, particularly in light of recent legal battles surrounding the facility’s operation. Despite a federal judge’s order in August to shut down the facility due to mounting criticism and lawsuits from environmental groups, it was allowed to continue operating by October after intervention from two appellate court judges appointed during the Trump administration, raising concerns about the influence of political ties on judicial decisions.
The Florida state government, led by Governor Ron DeSantis, has dismissed the allegations as “fabrications” and part of a politically motivated attack against the administration. This response has drawn skepticism from human rights advocates and the general public, particularly given the alarming nature of the claims. Amnesty International’s timing in releasing these findings appears strategic, as it coincides with a looming deadline on December 19 for the Justice Department to disclose documents related to the Epstein Files Transparency Act. While the images released do not provide new evidence, they serve to maintain pressure on the current administration and highlight ongoing issues within the U.S. immigration detention system.
The situation at Alligator Alcatraz is emblematic of broader systemic issues within the immigration detention framework, where reports of mistreatment and neglect are not uncommon. Activists argue that such conditions violate basic human rights and call for comprehensive reforms to ensure the humane treatment of all detainees. As the debate continues, the implications of these findings could resonate far beyond Florida, influencing national conversations about immigration policy and the treatment of vulnerable populations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOcvUg8gZgA
Amnesty finds detainees at Florida facility were shackled and left outside in metal cage. Plus, how the dollar-store industry overcharges consumers
Good morning.
Detainees at the notorious Florida immigration jail known as “Alligator Alcatraz” were shackled inside a 2ft-high metal cage and left outside without water for up to a day at a time, a shocking report published on Thursday by Amnesty International alleges.
Didn’t a judge order the facility to shut down?
A federal judge in August
ordered it to close
after a wave of criticism and a lawsuit by environmental groups. However, by October, the facility was operating again with hundreds of detainees after two Trump-appointed appellate court judges – one whose husband
has close ties
to the Republican governor Ron DeSantis – blocked the closure ruling.
Has the state of Florida responded to the allegations?
The press secretary to DeSantis told the Guardian the allegations were “fabrications” and part of a “politically motivated attack”.
Why have they released these photos now?
It’s unclear. Even though the images do not reveal anything new, they keep the pressure on the Trump administration ahead of a 19 December deadline for the justice department to release files, as per the
Epstein Files Transparency Act
, signed 19 November.
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