Cuban migrant Pedro Lorenzo Concepción has concluded his 17-day hunger strike after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) assured him that he is not on the list of deportable individuals. Concepción confirmed this development during a video call with El País, the outlet that first reported the resolution of his protest.
At 44 years old, Concepción was extremely weakened and could barely walk when he decided to start eating again on Friday night at the Krome detention center in Florida. He had been moved there after initiating his hunger strike at the controversial detention facility known as Alligator Alcatraz. His first meal included rice, fish, and corn; on Saturday morning, he managed to have cereal. "I ate it, with difficulty," he shared with the Spanish newspaper.
Protesting for Clarity
Concepción began his hunger strike on July 22 to demand clarity regarding his immigration status and to protest the conditions at Alligator Alcatraz, which has been criticized for overcrowding, inadequate medical care, poor nutrition, and lack of privacy. "I no longer own my life on the street; ICE picks me up whenever they want... Since my life no longer belongs to me, it's up to them to decide if I live or die," he previously stated to El País.
During his protest, his health deteriorated to the point of requiring hospitalization and a wheelchair for mobility. Initially, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) denied the hunger strike, dismissing reports as "inaccurate and unfounded accusations." However, following media attention and Concepción's transfer to Krome, ICE acknowledged his protest and informed him he would not be deported.
The Struggle for Immigration Rights
Having resided in the United States since 2014, Concepción lost his permanent resident status after serving time for drug-related offenses and credit card fraud. Despite having served his sentence, he has experienced recurring detentions by ICE. His wife, Daimarys Hernández, fears any change in his status could separate him from her and their two children. "If you made a mistake and paid for it, why does it continue to haunt you years later?" Hernández previously questioned.
A Facility Under Scrutiny
Opened in July 2025 on a former airport site in the Everglades, Alligator Alcatraz has been criticized by activists and human rights organizations as a "concentration camp" for migrants. Designed to hold 2,000 detainees, with plans to expand to 4,000, it has been the focus of protests, lawsuits, and allegations of inhumane conditions.
As Pedro Lorenzo Concepción regains his strength, his case highlights the ongoing tension between U.S. immigration policy and the human rights of detainees, particularly for Cubans who live under the constant threat of deportation.
Frequently Asked Questions on Immigration and Detention in the U.S.
What led Pedro Lorenzo Concepción to start a hunger strike?
Pedro Lorenzo Concepción began a hunger strike to demand clarity on his immigration status and to protest the poor conditions at Alligator Alcatraz detention center.
What are the main criticisms against Alligator Alcatraz?
Alligator Alcatraz has been criticized for overcrowding, inadequate medical care, poor nutrition, and lack of privacy, with some activists labeling it a "concentration camp" for migrants.
How has ICE responded to the hunger strike?
Initially, ICE, through the Department of Homeland Security, denied the hunger strike reports as inaccurate. However, following media coverage, ICE acknowledged the protest and confirmed that Concepción would not be deported.