Italian Citizen to be Deported from US Amidst Concerns Over ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Detention Center
A 30-year-old Italian national will be repatriated to Italy on August 5th following an expulsion order issued by US authorities, highlighting growing scrutiny of detention conditions for migrants and individuals facing immigration violations. The case is one of three recent incidents involving Italian citizens detained in Florida, raising diplomatic concerns and prompting calls for greater transparency.
Escalating Concerns Over Immigration Detention
The individual, Samuel Gheorghe, was initially arrested on July 12th in Miramar, Broward County, Florida, for unspecified irregularities. Following his arrest, Gheorghe was placed under supervised release with an electronic monitoring bracelet. However, a failure to appear at the Fort Lauderdale police station led to a re-arrest and subsequent transfer on July 27th to a high-security detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz.”
During his confinement, Gheorghe was able to meet with the Italian general consul in Miami, reporting his health as “satisfactory” but expressing concerns about the “aggressive” nature of fellow inmates. Italian diplomatic authorities, coordinated by the Farnesina and the Consulate General of Miami, have been closely monitoring the case since its inception. Gheorghe has opted not to contest the expulsion order and will be returned to Italy via a flight from Miami with consular assistance.
“Our consulate and our embassy are at work to allow the safe return of our compatriots withheld in the United States,” stated Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
A Pattern of Deportations
Gheorghe’s case represents the second instance in recent months of an Italian citizen facing deportation from the US for immigration-related offenses. Fernando Eduardo Artese, a 63-year-old with dual Italian and Argentine citizenship, was detained in late June and returned to Italy on July 31st following a similar expulsion agreement.
A third case involves Gaetano Mirabella Costa, who was initially held at Alligator Alcatraz before being transferred to the Ice center of Krome, also in Florida. Unlike Gheorghe and Artese, Mirabella Costa will face a preliminary hearing on August 6th to determine the extent of any penalties before his repatriation.
Inside ‘Alligator Alcatraz’
Opened on July 1, 2025, in the heart of the Everglades, Alligator Alcatraz is designed to house up to 5,000 individuals facing immigration violations. Former President Donald Trump famously described the facility as “harder than the real Alcatraz,” emphasizing its high-surveillance design. However, the detention center has drawn criticism from civil rights organizations and international observers who have raised concerns about a lack of transparency and reportedly severe detention conditions. These issues have been brought into sharper focus by the case of Samuel Gheorghe.
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The unfolding situation underscores the complex challenges surrounding immigration enforcement and the treatment of detainees within the US system, prompting continued diplomatic engagement and calls for improved oversight.
