A recent lawsuit filed on Friday has once again brought the spotlight to the detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz in Florida. The legal action accuses the facility of physical violence against a Cuban detainee named Raiko López and the use of pepper spray in enclosed cells affecting other inmates.
According to the lawsuit, López was reportedly assaulted by eight guards on April 2 during a protest by inmates over the lack of access to phone services and external communication, as reported by Telemundo.
The legal document outlines that López sustained facial bruises, injuries to his limbs, and was subjected to attempts of asphyxiation. Following the incident, he was placed in solitary confinement for nine days without receiving adequate medical care, despite complaining of severe chest and head pain.
The complaint also highlights the use of pepper spray in closed cells, which allegedly resulted in a wrist fracture for one detainee and caused an elderly man to faint due to poor ventilation.
Ongoing Legal Battles Surrounding Alligator Alcatraz
This new legal action is part of a series of lawsuits against the detention center, which was hastily constructed in just eight days under an emergency order by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, and began operations on July 3, 2025, at the Dade-Collier Airport within the Big Cypress National Preserve in Ochopee.
Currently, between 700 and 800 Cubans are held in the facility, 70% of whom do not have final deportation orders. Many have been detained for months, while migrants from other countries typically remain for only two to three weeks.
Reports of violence are not new to Alligator Alcatraz. In December 2025, a large-scale protest by Cuban detainees demanding freedom was met with force and pepper spray.
High-Profile Cases and Allegations of Mistreatment
In February, Gladys Carredeguas, the lawyer representing Cuban reggaeton artist Abel Díaz Rodríguez, known as El Chulo, reported alleged mistreatment of her client at the detention center, where he has been held by ICE since January 22.
Carredeguas stated she received numerous calls from detainees at the center informing her that the artist had been beaten, thrown to the ground, and subsequently placed in solitary confinement—referred to by inmates as "the hole"—after several detainees requested urgent medication for an elderly man who had not received his treatment.
In December, Amnesty International condemned some practices at the facility as torture, specifically citing the prolonged use of restraints.
Legal Developments and Future Implications
On March 27, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction in the case of H.C.R. v. Noem, mandating that authorities provide all detainees with confidential and immediate phone calls and attorney visits without prior appointments.
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals also heard oral arguments last Monday regarding an environmental lawsuit filed by groups such as Friends of the Everglades and the Miccosukee Tribe, with a decision still pending.
Corene Kendrick, deputy director of the ACLU's National Prison Project, was resolute following the March injunction.
"Access to legal representation is a constitutional right. We will not rest until this abusive facility is shut down," she vowed.
Key Questions about Alligator Alcatraz
What are the main allegations against Alligator Alcatraz?
The main allegations include physical violence against detainees, use of pepper spray in closed cells, and inadequate medical care for those in solitary confinement.
Why was Alligator Alcatraz constructed so quickly?
The facility was built in just eight days under an emergency order by Governor Ron DeSantis to address a surge in migrant detentions.
What legal actions have been taken against the facility?
Several lawsuits have been filed, including a recent injunction mandating confidential legal communication for detainees and a pending environmental lawsuit.