Latest news with #GardaWorldFederalServices
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Alligator Alcatraz is nothing more than ‘an oversized kennel' for migrants, ex-prison guard says
A former corrections officer who worked at the already-notorious 'Alligator Alcatraz' migrant detention center in Florida has come forward to warn about the 'inhumane' conditions in which detainees are being held at the facility. Identified only as Lindsey to protect herself and her family from harassment, NBC's Miami affiliate interviewed the officer and compared conditions at the camp to 'an oversized kennel,' describing its poor facilities and inmates, many of whom are not criminals, living in fear. She said that she had been hired by the security company GardaWorld Federal Services and agreed to be paid $26 an hour on a five days on, two days off basis, which required her to live in a shared trailer on site with other staff. Lindsey said she began working at the camp on July 6. Still, her employment lasted only a week because she contracted Covid-19, had to self-isolate, and was then fired after being accused of 'altering medical paperwork submitted to the company,' an allegation she denied. 'It's inhumane the way that they're keeping their residents,' she told NBC6 of her experiences. 'When I got there, it was overwhelming. I thought it would get better. But it just never did.' She said that each tent at the facility contained eight large cages, holding 35 to 38 inmates, meaning that each tent housed close to 300 people. Discussing the conditions in which the detainees were being held, she said: 'They have no sunlight. There's no clock in there. They don't even know what time of the day it is. 'They have no access to showers. They shower every other day or every four days. The bathrooms are backed up because you [have] got so many people using them.' Lindsey added that rainwater poured into the tents on stormy days and that everyone present found themselves in a 'constant battle' with mosquitoes due to the Everglades' close and humid climate. 'Not everybody there is a criminal,' she said. 'These people are still human. They pulled them from their livelihood. They're scared. They don't speak our language.' Lindsey said the harsh conditions were also rough on staff: 'We had to use the porta-johns. We didn't have hot water half the time. Our bathrooms were backed up.' Asked about her motivations for coming forward, she said: 'I was fired. And yeah, I'm p****d off. But more so than ever, like, they're doing wrong.' Responding to Lindsey's accusations, Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told The Independent: 'Any allegations of 'highly inhumane conditions' at Alligator Alcatraz are FALSE. This is yet another attempt to smear ICE law enforcement who is already facing an 830 percent increase in assaults against them. 'Additionally, the facility is managed by the State of Florida through the Division of Emergency Management. Under President Trump's leadership, we are working at turbo speed on cost-effective and innovative ways to deliver on the American people's mandate for mass deportations of criminal illegal aliens.' The Independent also contacted GardaWorld and the Florida Division of Emergency Management for comment. Supporters of President Donald Trump warmly greeted the Alligator Alcatraz project when it was announced in June, cheerily buying up merchandise and delighting at the idea that would-be escapees would not be able to get far due to the perilous swampland surrounding the disused airfield on which it was built. Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantistoured the facility last month and gave it their seal of approval. At the same time, other red states have toyed with opening their equivalent centers to support the president's ICE-led illegal immigration crackdown. Many detainees at the site have previously complained about the dire conditions, decrying the scarcity of food, lack of water for washing, and constant bright light depriving them of sleep.
The Independent
5 days ago
- The Independent
Alligator Alcatraz is nothing more than ‘an oversized kennel' for migrants, ex-prison guard says
A former corrections officer who worked at the already-notorious 'Alligator Alcatraz' migrant detention center in Florida has come forward to warn about the 'inhumane' conditions in which detainees are being held at the facility. Identified only as Lindsey to protect herself and her family from harassment, NBC's Miami affiliate interviewed the officer and compared conditions at the camp to 'an oversized kennel,' describing its poor facilities and inmates, many of whom are not criminals, living in fear. She said that she had been hired by the security company GardaWorld Federal Services and agreed to be paid $26 an hour on a five days on, two days off basis, which required her to live in a shared trailer on site with other staff. Lindsey said she began working at the camp on July 6. Still, her employment lasted only a week because she contracted Covid-19, had to self-isolate, and was then fired after being accused of 'altering medical paperwork submitted to the company,' an allegation she denied. 'It's inhumane the way that they're keeping their residents,' she told NBC6 of her experiences. 'When I got there, it was overwhelming. I thought it would get better. But it just never did.' She said that each tent at the facility contained eight large cages, holding 35 to 38 inmates, meaning that each tent housed close to 300 people. Discussing the conditions in which the detainees were being held, she said: 'They have no sunlight. There's no clock in there. They don't even know what time of the day it is. 'They have no access to showers. They shower every other day or every four days. The bathrooms are backed up because you [have] got so many people using them.' Lindsey added that rainwater poured into the tents on stormy days and that everyone present found themselves in a 'constant battle' with mosquitoes due to the Everglades' close and humid climate. 'Not everybody there is a criminal,' she said. 'These people are still human. They pulled them from their livelihood. They're scared. They don't speak our language.' Lindsey said the harsh conditions were also rough on staff: 'We had to use the porta-johns. We didn't have hot water half the time. Our bathrooms were backed up.' Asked about her motivations for coming forward, she said: 'I was fired. And yeah, I'm p****d off. But more so than ever, like, they're doing wrong.' Responding to Lindsey's accusations, Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told The Independent: 'Any allegations of 'highly inhumane conditions' at Alligator Alcatraz are FALSE. This is yet another attempt to smear ICE law enforcement who is already facing an 830 percent increase in assaults against them. 'Additionally, the facility is managed by the State of Florida through the Division of Emergency Management. Under President Trump's leadership, we are working at turbo speed on cost-effective and innovative ways to deliver on the American people's mandate for mass deportations of criminal illegal aliens.' The Independent also contacted GardaWorld and the Florida Division of Emergency Management for comment. Supporters of President Donald Trump warmly greeted the Alligator Alcatraz project when it was announced in June, cheerily buying up merchandise and delighting at the idea that would-be escapees would not be able to get far due to the perilous swampland surrounding the disused airfield on which it was built. Many detainees at the site have previously complained about the dire conditions, decrying the scarcity of food, lack of water for washing, and constant bright light depriving them of sleep.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Ex-'Alligator Alcatraz' worker details 'inhumane' treatment
A former employee at the notorious Alligator Alcatraz immigrant detention center is speaking out against the facility, describing horrid conditions and 'inhumane' treatment of detainees. The employee, identified only by her first name, Lindsey, spoke with South Florida NBC affiliate NBC6. Documentation provided to NBC6 shows that Lindsey arrived at the facility in the Big Cypress Swamp on July 6, employed as a corrections officer through GardaWorld Federal Services, contracted out to provide security. Lindsey called the scene she saw upon arrival as 'overwhelming,' adding, 'I thought it would get better. But it just never did.' She described the cages in which detainees were held as 'an oversized kennel.' 'They have no sunlight. There's no clock in there. They don't even know what time of the day it is,' Lindsey said of the holding areas. 'They have no access to showers. They shower every other day or every four days.' She said the bathrooms for detainees were 'backed up' regularly due to the sheer number of people needing to use them. 'Not everybody is a criminal,' Lindsey said of the detainees. The Miami Herald previously reported that roughly 250 of the 700 detainees at the facility in July did not have a criminal record, despite President Donald Trump calling the facility a place to keep 'deranged psychopaths.''These people are still human,' she said. 'They pulled them from their livelihood. They're scared. They don't speak our language.' Conditions were little better for the employees at the facility. 'We had to use the porta-johns. We didn't have hot water half the time. Our bathrooms were backed up,' Lindsey said. Lindsey worked at the facility for around a week before catching COVID and taking time to isolate. She was then fired for 'altering medical paperwork submitted to the company' — an accusation she denies. 'I was fired. And yeah, I'm pissed off,' she said. 'But more so than ever, like, they're doing wrong.' The post Ex-'Alligator Alcatraz' worker details 'inhumane' treatment appeared first on Solve the daily Crossword
Montreal Gazette
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Montreal Gazette
Montreal-based ‘Alligator Alcatraz' security contractor posts jobs for armed guards
News By The U.S. arm of Montreal-based security giant GardaWorld — which holds a federal contract to secure the controversial migrant detention site dubbed 'Alligator Alcatraz' — is hiring armed guards for a facility in the same Florida community. GardaWorld is offering full-time roles through its U.S. subsidiary, GardaWorld Federal Services, which handles U.S. federal contracts and provides armed security, logistics and emergency services across the country. While the job posting does not name the site, there appears to be no other detention facility in Ochopee. The job listing, posted 10 days ago and still appears to be active, advertises US$25 an hour for up to 60 hours per week, with flights, meals and accommodation included. Applicants must agree to live on-site for the duration of the contract. 'We are seeking highly vigilant and professional Security Guards (Armed) to maintain safety and order within the custodial facility,' the posting reads. 'In this crucial role, you will provide comprehensive external security, working in close collaboration with our custodial officers to ensure the secure supervision and movement of the facility population, and compliance with all facility regulations and protocols.' Ochopee is a tiny community about 40 kilometres from the planned detention site, which is expected to hold up to 3,000 people. The facility has drawn growing criticism from migrant advocates. GardaWorld has reportedly been awarded CAN$10.9-million contract to provide security there, according to Miami Herald, a local newspaper. It will provide correctional staffing to the site, the newspaper said, citing two unnamed sources. The site gained notoriety after U.S. President Donald Trump visited earlier this month, joking there were 'a lot of police officers in the form of alligators.' The posting outlines strict requirements for applicants. Candidates must hold Florida gun and security licences, have at least one year of armed experience, and legally own a registered semi-automatic handgun. It also demands physical resilience: guards must work in extreme heat, potentially around toxic chemicals or loud noise, and may be required to crawl, squat or lift up to 49 pounds during their shifts. GardaWorld has been contacted for comment.
