A report from the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has scrutinized the operations of a temporary detention facility in Florida, which was established by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2025 to manage immigration enforcement.
The facility, which operated in the Everglades until its closure in June 2026, was the subject of a surprise inspection in January 2026. The OIG report claims that the facility failed to meet federal standards regarding medical care, hygiene, and living conditions.
Specifically, investigators highlighted the use of small, 18-square-foot outdoor metal enclosures, which state officials had characterized as areas for de-escalation. The report notes that 79 individuals were placed in these areas between July 2025 and January 2026 for durations ranging from minutes to nearly two hours.
While the facility was established via executive order by the state of Florida, federal funds covered operational costs. In response to the findings, DHS officials maintained that the state of Florida held authority over the day-to-day management of the site.
The report further alleged deficiencies in sanitation, including limited access to showers and clean drinking water. The facility was intended to be a temporary measure to address border security challenges, and Governor DeSantis announced its closure last year.
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