Detainees at 'Alligator Alcatraz' are on a hunger strike for the tenth consecutive day, voicing their discontent with the conditions.
Hunger Strike at Florida's Alligator Alcatraz Immigration Detention Center: A Call for Reform
A hunger strike at the Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention center in Florida, colloquially known as "Alligator Alcatraz," has entered its tenth day. The strike is being led by detainees who protest against inhumane and dangerous living conditions within the facility.
One of the detainees, Pedro Hernández, a Cuban immigrant who came to the U.S. in 2006, has been hospitalized during the strike but continues to refuse food. His wife, Daimarys Hernández, and community members have expressed outrage over the situation.
Reports suggest that detainees have been denied access to legal counsel, a claim that the state denies. Civil rights groups have filed lawsuits over the detention center, citing concerns about the treatment of immigrants and the lack of due process.
The detention center, which opened in early July 2025 and can hold up to 3,000 detainees, has drawn widespread criticism. Many detainees reportedly have no criminal records, and being undocumented is a civil infraction rather than a criminal offense.
In response to the allegations, Florida officials have denied accusations of inhumane conditions. However, a recorded phone call from inside the facility, in which Pedro Hernández pleaded for help, has raised further concerns.
Democratic leaders have held an emergency town hall in Coconut Grove demanding reform and accountability regarding the detention center. As the hunger strike continues, questions about detainees' access to courts and rights under immigration law remain unanswered.
The lack of transparency about detainees' due process and reports of mistreatment suggest potential grounds for legal challenges in the near future. While no specific lawsuits or court interventions related to the hunger strike have been detailed in the available reports, the situation at Alligator Alcatraz remains a cause for concern.
- The call for reform at Florida's Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention center has sparked discussions in policy-and-legislation, particularly surrounding medical-conditions and health-and-wellness of detainees.
- In the midst of this crisis, funding for improved conditions and legal representation in science-based health care becomes paramount.
- As the hunger strike persists, the intersection of general-news, politics, and human rights further emphasizes the need for accountability, transparency, and fair treatment of detainees.
