Axios Tampa Bay
September 15, 2026
1 big thing: Alligator Alcatraz violated standards
Alligator Alcatraz, the former immigration detention center in the Everglades, improperly confined detainees in small metal holding cells staff described as "calming areas," a new federal report found.
The big picture: The hastily constructed detention facility — a centerpiece of Gov. Ron DeSantis' immigration policy praised by President Trump — violated several detention standards, according to the Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General.
- The facility, which opened in 2025 and closed in June, was operated by the state and funded by state and federal dollars.
Among those who passed through the detention camp was a boy named Alexis, only 15 years old, who was pulled from the passenger seat of his friend's car in Tampa.
- So did Ismael Cerro, who left Mexico more than a decade ago and settled in Hillsborough County, where he worked construction and raised three children.
- Like most of the people held there, neither had ever been convicted of a crime.
What the OIG found: During an unannounced inspection in January, the OIG staff found that Alligator Alcatraz housed detainees in cramped, windowless living spaces.
- Detainees lacked adequate recreation time, hygienic showers or access to legal materials.
- DeSantis spokesperson Alex Lanfranconi, in a statement, said the holding cells flagged by the OIG met federal standards, adding, "we'd make it even smaller if we could."
Zoom in: The OIG report took particular issue with the individual metal enclosures that Alligator Alcatraz staff said served to calm detainees.
- The holding cells, which measured about 18 square feet, were described as "unprecedented among ICE facilities inspected by OIG" and not in alignment "with standards for humane treatment."
Between July 2025 and January 2026, detention staff confined 79 detainees in the cells, which were placed in outdoor recreation areas, per the report.
- Staff told the OIG that detainees asked to go into the cells, and the policy stated that they could leave whenever they wanted to and stay for a maximum of two hours.
However, ICE officials told the OIG the enclosures were also used for disciplinary issues, along with crisis intervention, housing changes, and conflicts among detainees.
2. 🎟️ St. Pete's Free Museum Day is back
3. The Pulp: 🔎 Feds probe Publix beef prices
4. Tampa Bay 🤝 Detroit
👋 Kathryn here. A decade ago an ex introduced me to Detroit-style pizza, and life has never been the same.
Flashback: Biting into that first slice from Jet's Pizza was heavenly. The thick, fluffy center leading out to the crunchy, crispy, caramelized-cheesy edge.
- And the corners … the corners.
Dig in: Tampa Bay now has more places than ever to try the Motor City delicacy, which dates back to 1946, when Detroit pizzeria Buddy's Rendezvous made the first square pizza in a steel pan from an automotive plant.
State of plate: Orlando-based SoDough Square expanded to Tampa and St. Petersburg this year, slinging pies like the Detroit Rob City with whipped ricotta, sausage, cup pepperoni, hot honey and the Wisconsin brick cheese that makes the edges so satisfying (10/10 would recommend).
- Small Bar, Bandit St. Pete's pop-up preview for the upcoming Spitz Wine Bar, did a Detroit-style 'za special over the summer that rocked my world.
- And then there's the old standby, Jet's, which (don't kill me) might still be my favorite.
- Maybe it's the nostalgia factor (you never forget your first!) or maybe it's the ranch dressing, which is — and I don't say this lightly — perfect.
What's next: I'll definitely be trying out Motor City Squares, which opened over the summer in St. Pete's Foodie Labs.
- And apparently I've been sleeping on The NONA Slice House's Detroit-style? Smh, me.
📬 Hit reply with more spots I should try!
5. 🐊 Where's Flo?
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