US watchdog reports immigrants confined in small outdoor cages at Florida detention center
A Department of Homeland Security inspector general report found that a Florida immigration detention facility used 18-square-foot outdoor metal cages, describing the practice as unprecedented and unsafe.
The Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security said a surprise inspection in January uncovered that a Florida immigration detention center used outdoor metal cages measuring about 18 square feet to hold detainees for periods ranging from a few minutes to nearly two hours. The OIG described the practice as "unprecedented among detention facilities" and a safety risk.
The report noted that 79 immigrants were placed in the cages between July 2025 and January 2026, allegedly as "calming areas" to allow individuals to de-escalate. Inspectors said the cages were used at least once as a disciplinary measure.
"The use of such restrictive spaces is highly unconventional and does not align with standards for humane treatment," the OIG report stated.
Inspectors also reported inadequate sanitation, with showers infested with insects and limited to three uses per week, and insufficient living space that left detainees in cramped conditions. While the state of Florida managed daily operations, the federal government covered operational costs.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the facility would close in June 2026, saying it was intended as a temporary measure.