Lawyer Alleges Guards Beat and Pepper-Sprayed Detainees at Florida Detention Center

Incident occurred after detainees complained about lack of phone access at 'Alligator Alcatraz' facility

Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:35am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a bruised eye, capturing the harsh, gritty aftermath of an alleged assault on a detainee at an immigration detention facility.A recent wave of alleged abuse at an immigration detention center in Florida's Everglades exposes troubling conditions and treatment of detainees.Today in Orlando

According to a lawyer representing two detainees, guards at a state-run immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades known as 'Alligator Alcatraz' severely beat and pepper-sprayed detainees after they complained about not having phone access on April 2. The lawyer, Katherine Blankenship, said the guards became 'more aggressive and were yelling and threatening to enter the cage' after the detainees voiced concerns about the non-functioning phones, which are their primary way to communicate with family and attorneys.

Why it matters

The alleged incident raises concerns about the treatment of detainees at the remote Florida detention center, which was built last year by the DeSantis administration to support the Trump administration's immigration policies. The case also highlights ongoing legal battles over detainees' access to communication and legal counsel at these facilities.

The details

According to Blankenship's court declaration, when one detainee approached a guard, he was punched in the face. The guards then started beating other detainees in the cell, including one of Blankenship's clients who was punched in the right eye, thrown to the floor and beaten by several guards. The detainee was kicked in the head and had injuries to his shoulder and arm, with a guard putting his knee on the detainee's neck while restraining him. Blankenship said 'the officers beat several people during this incident and broke another detained individual's wrist.' Phone service was restored the next day without explanation.

  • The incident occurred on April 2, 2026.
  • Blankenship's declaration was included in a court filing on April 16, 2026.

The players

Katherine Blankenship

A lawyer representing two detainees at the 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention center.

Ron DeSantis

The Republican governor of Florida who oversaw the construction of the 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention center.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president whose immigration policies the 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention center was built to support.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz

A Democratic U.S. Representative from Florida who visited the detention center and described the conditions as 'inhumane.'

Sheri Polster Chappell

The U.S. District Judge who issued a preliminary injunction ordering the detention center to provide detainees with access to timely, free, confidential, unmonitored and unrecorded outgoing legal calls.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The way the detainees are housed is cruel and unnecessary.”

— Debbie Wasserman Schultz, U.S. Representative

What’s next

The U.S. District Court will continue to monitor the detention center's compliance with the judge's order to provide detainees with adequate access to legal counsel and communication.

The takeaway

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of detainees at immigration detention centers, especially those operated by state governments to support federal immigration policies. It underscores the importance of ensuring detainees' constitutional rights are protected, including their ability to communicate with attorneys and loved ones.