(FLORIDA) Pedro Lorenzo Concepción, a Cuban immigrant, has been on a hunger strike for more than two weeks at the Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention center in Florida. He began refusing food around July 27, 2025, to protest his ongoing detention and what he describes as harsh, inhumane conditions inside the facility. The hunger strike, which involves at least a dozen detainees, has drawn attention to the treatment of migrants in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.
Pedro Lorenzo Concepción’s protest highlights growing concerns about the conditions at Alligator Alcatraz, one of the largest ICE detention centers in the United States 🇺🇸. He has been held there since July 9, 2025, and says he started the hunger strike because of the uncertainty surrounding his case, the lack of clear information from officials, and the poor living conditions. “Since ICE controls my life, it’s up to them to decide whether I live or die,” he said, explaining his decision to stop eating.
Conditions Inside Alligator Alcatraz
Reports from detainees and immigrant rights groups describe Alligator Alcatraz as severely overcrowded, with more than 1,500 people held in the facility. Detainees have reported:
- 🚨 Overcrowding: Too many people in small spaces, making it hard to move or sleep comfortably.
- 🧼 Unsanitary conditions: Overflowing toilets, dirty showers, and a lack of cleaning supplies.
- 💡 Constant lighting: Lights remain on day and night, making it difficult for detainees to rest.
- 🚿 Limited showers: Detainees sometimes go days without being able to shower.
- 🦠 COVID-19 outbreaks: The virus spreads quickly due to close quarters and poor hygiene.
These conditions have led to frustration and fear among detainees, many of whom feel trapped and ignored. According to the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC), at least a dozen detainees joined Pedro Lorenzo Concepción in the hunger strike, hoping to draw attention to their situation and push for change.
ICE and DHS Response
Despite reports from detainees and activists, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE have officially denied that any hunger strike is taking place at Alligator Alcatraz. DHS has called the reports “fake news” and accused activists of trying to damage the reputation of ICE agents. Officials also claim that attacks on ICE staff have increased by 830%, suggesting that the agency faces growing security concerns.
On its official social media accounts, DHS stated, “No detainees are on hunger strike at Alligator Alcatraz. The claims are false.”
This denial stands in sharp contrast to the testimonies of detainees and the observations of advocacy groups, who have documented ambulance arrivals, hospitalizations, and the forced transfer of hunger strikers to other facilities, such as the Krome detention center.
Activist and Community Response
The hunger strike has drawn the attention of immigrant rights groups, human rights organizations, and some lawmakers. The Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) has reported on the deteriorating health of hunger strikers and the use of forced transfers, which they interpret as attempts by ICE to break up the protest and reduce public scrutiny.
Advocates argue that hunger strikes are often a last resort for detainees who feel they have no other way to make their voices heard.
“When people risk their health and even their lives, it’s a sign that something is very wrong inside these facilities,” said a spokesperson for FLIC.
Background and Broader Context
Alligator Alcatraz has faced criticism for years due to its size and the conditions inside. Many migrants, including a large number of Cubans, are held there for long periods while they wait for their immigration cases to be resolved. Delays in hearings, lack of access to legal help, and poor medical care are common complaints.
Hunger strikes have a long history in ICE detention centers. Detainees use them to protest poor conditions, long waits for court dates, and lack of information about their cases. However, ICE and DHS often deny or downplay these protests, making it difficult for the public to know what is really happening inside.
In 2025, ICE detention centers have come under even more scrutiny following several detainee deaths and new allegations of mistreatment. In June 2025, a 75-year-old Cuban detainee named Isidro Perez died in ICE custody in Florida, raising fresh concerns about medical care and safety in these facilities.
Policy Implications and Practical Effects
The hunger strike at Alligator Alcatraz has renewed calls for changes to ICE detention policies. Key issues include:
- ⏳ Prolonged detention: Many detainees spend months or even years in custody without timely hearings.
- 🚑 Inadequate medical care: Reports of delayed or denied medical attention are common.
- 🏚️ Poor living conditions: Overcrowding, lack of privacy, and unsanitary facilities put detainees at risk.
Some lawmakers and advocacy groups are pushing for reforms such as:
- 🛡️ Improved detention conditions: Ensuring that all facilities meet basic health and safety standards.
- 🏠 Alternatives to detention: Using community-based programs instead of holding people in large centers.
- ⚖️ Faster case processing: Reducing the time detainees spend waiting for their cases to be heard.
ICE’s denial of the hunger strike and the transfer of detainees may be part of a strategy to avoid public attention and disrupt organized protests. However, these actions can also increase tension and mistrust between detainees and authorities.
Impact on Detainees and Families
For people like Pedro Lorenzo Concepción, the hunger strike is a desperate attempt to regain some control over their lives. The risks are serious—hunger strikes can lead to lasting health problems or even death. Families of detainees often feel helpless, unsure of what is happening inside the centers or how to help their loved ones.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these protests can also have ripple effects in the wider community, sparking debates about immigration policy and the treatment of migrants in the United States 🇺🇸.
What Can Be Done?
If you have a family member or friend in ICE detention, or if you are concerned about conditions at facilities like Alligator Alcatraz, there are steps you can take:
- 📋 Contact local immigrant rights groups: Organizations like the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) can provide support and information.
- 📋 Reach out to legal aid groups: Many offer free or low-cost help to detainees and their families.
- 📋 Report concerns to ICE: The agency has a Detention Reporting and Information Line for complaints and questions.
Looking Ahead
The hunger strike at Alligator Alcatraz may lead to more media coverage and political pressure on ICE and DHS. There is potential for congressional hearings or investigations into detention practices, and ongoing debates about alternatives to detention and better oversight.
As the situation develops, the voices of detainees like Pedro Lorenzo Concepción will continue to play a key role in shaping the conversation about immigration and human rights in the United States 🇺🇸. For now, the hunger strike stands as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by migrants in detention and the urgent need for reform.
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