Florida nonprofits, doctors, and families are demanding the immediate closure of the 'Alligator Alcatraz' immigration detention facility due to reports of inhumane conditions, including overcrowding, poor sanitation, and medical neglect.

The facility, located in Collier County and opened in early July 2025, has been criticized for its harsh environment, including flood-prone tents, extreme heat, and contaminated water, with reports of sewage backups and flooded cages.

Detainees, including minors and adults, have reported inadequate medical care, such as being denied antibiotics and suffering from infections, fungus, and other health issues worsened by poor sanitation.

Families of detainees have shared personal accounts of mistreatment, verbal abuse, and health problems, asserting that many are unjustly held and facing inhumane conditions.

Legal advocates, including the ACLU, have filed a lawsuit alleging violations of detainees' constitutional rights, such as denial of confidential communication with attorneys and access to medical care.

Access for lawyers and journalists has been severely restricted, with reports of bureaucratic obstacles, unanswered communications, and police checkpoints preventing proper oversight.

A scheduled press conference on July 22, 2025, aims to address these issues, as activists and advocacy groups continue to demand the facility's closure and independent inspections.

The facility's operation costs are estimated at around $450 million annually, funded partly by federal resources, raising concerns about the use of taxpayer money amid the allegations.

International and domestic human rights organizations, including Yale University, have classified the conditions as inhumane and akin to a concentration camp, calling it a public health crisis.

The detention of minors, including a 15-year-old boy, contradicts claims that only adults are held, and reports indicate that detainees are subjected to constant fluorescent lighting and limited access to showers.

The facility's remote location and harsh environment have been criticized, with some officials dismissing allegations as false and claiming detainees are offered voluntary repatriation.

The broader context includes increased detention numbers across the U.S., with over 56,000 individuals held as of June 2025, many without criminal records, highlighting ongoing concerns about immigration enforcement practices.