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Ochopee, FL - A 15-year-old boy named Alexis, who has no criminal history, was held for three days at the Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention facility after lying about his age during a traffic stop out of fear of separation from his companions.
According to Marianna Delgado, an attorney with Americans for Immigrant Justice, Alexis claimed to be an adult because he was scared, leading to his placement in the adult-oriented center consisting of tents and chain-link pens.
Delgado highlighted that Alexis was forced to use the restroom in front of other adults and was not informed of his destination during transfer, underscoring concerns about the facility's conditions and lack of safeguards for minors.
Florida officials stated that Alexis was removed per federal protocols once his age was verified via a birth certificate provided by his father, Ignacio, who is now seeking reunification through a paternity test.
Immigration attorney Alexandra Manrique Alfonso emphasized the need for better oversight to prevent children from being housed with adults, while a state spokesperson noted challenges in verifying identities amid illegal immigration.
The incident has raised broader questions about the rapid opening of the facility under President Trump's immigration policies, with only one-third of detainees having criminal convictions despite its intended purpose.