Rome (CNN) — Two Italian nationals residing in america are among the many inmates at present being held on the ICE detention middle generally known as “Alligator Alcatraz” in Florida, in accordance with Italy’s international ministry.
Fernando Eduardo Artese, 63, and Gaetano Cateno Mirabella Costa, 45, have been each despatched to the power, mentioned to be surrounded by alligators, on immigration violations. Italy’s international ministry confirmed to CNN that the 2 males have been being detained within the US, however wouldn’t give any additional particulars, citing privateness causes.
The Italian authorities, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has not publicly commented on the case or the situations persons are being stored in on the controversial facility. In 2024, Italy constructed migrant deportation facilities in Albania, which have been finally blocked by the courts due to questions over human rights points.
Italian opposition politician and former speaker of the home Laura Boldrini has been main requires intervention by Meloni and her International Minister Antonio Tajani. “Is all this regular and acceptable for Giorgia Meloni? What does she intend to do to get the 2 Italians out of that hell? In the event that they don’t have the suitable to stay within the US, they are going to be repatriated, however subjecting them to those brutal situations is Unacceptable,” Boldrini posted on X Monday. Questions throughout a parliamentary session concerning potential intervention additionally went unanswered.
The US Division of Homeland Safety confirmed each males have been detained within the makeshift facility within the Florida Everglades. “Each of those felony unlawful aliens are being detained in Alligator Alcatraz. Beneath President (Donald) Trump and Secretary (Kristi) Noem, if you happen to break the regulation, you’ll face the implications. Felony unlawful aliens will not be welcome within the US,” DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin mentioned within the assertion.
Artese’s daughter Carla Artese says her father, who’s a twin Italian-Argentinian citizen who labored as a safety digicam technician, had been residing legally within the US since 2018 underneath the Visa Waiver Program.
Fearful {that a} new clampdown would result in his arrest, Artese determined to repatriate to Europe later this yr, his daughter mentioned.
Artese was stopped on June 25 whereas driving along with his household in a camper van. He had the intention of leaving the US and driving to Argentina. The household had deliberate to doc the journey on a YouTube channel known as “Argentinomades” in accordance with Carla Artese, who’s planning to begin college in Spain, the place she was born, within the fall.
However her father was stopped throughout a routine site visitors cease and officers discovered an excellent warrant for failing to seem in court docket for a driving violation, Carla Artese mentioned. He was then detained and despatched to “Alligator Alcatraz” every week later.
DHS mentioned Artese overstayed his visa by 10 years. “He entered the US (on) the Visa Waiver Program on February 8, 2015, and was approved to stay within the nation till Might 7, 2015. On June 26, 2025, Martin County Sheriff’s Workplace arrested Artese for having an excellent warrant relating for failure to seem in court docket for a felony offense,” McLaughlin mentioned within the assertion.
“This yr, we have been making an attempt to go away the USA, and ICE obtained him and despatched him to Alligator Alcatraz, the place they deal with them like criminals and haven’t any rights,” Carla Artese wrote on a fundraising web page. “They haven’t given him any details about his case or any proper to an legal professional. To not point out, they haven’t added him to the system but, so he doesn’t even appear as if an inmate anyplace. He desires to self-deport once they let him, which he additionally must pay for the ticket.”
The cash raised is for an legal professional to assist free her father.
“He’s a loving husband and pa. He has supplied for all of us since day one. He’s a father determine to me and lots of of my mates. He’s a tough employee who solely wished to go away the nation along with his household after paying taxes and dealing exhausting the entire time he’s been right here!”
Artese described “Alligator Alcatraz” as “a focus camp” in an interview earlier this month with the Tampa Bay Occasions. “They deal with us like criminals, it’s a pursuit of humiliation. We’re all employees and other people combating for our households.”
In the meantime, Mirabla Costa spoke with Italy’s state broadcaster RAI by telephone over the weekend, describing the dire state of affairs.
“We are actually caged, like a rooster coop. There are 32 of us in a cage, the bogs are open and everybody sees you,” he mentioned. “I don’t even have the prospect to talk to a lawyer, or a choose. Get us out of this nightmare.”
Mirabella Costa served six months in jail for home violence in opposition to his American ex-wife and for possession of pharmaceuticals and was arrested upon his launch by ICE officers for violating immigration legal guidelines, he advised the Italian outlet.
DHS says Costa overstayed his B2 visa by practically 7 years, including in a press release that his “felony historical past contains arrests for battery on an individual 65 years or older, possession of a managed substance, and marijuana possession. Osceola County Sheriff’s workplace arrested him on February 26, 2025.”
His mom, Rosanna Mirabella Costa, advised RAI that her son was taken to a preliminary listening to “with shackles on his toes and shackles on his arms, like a canine. The one constructive factor is that he can discuss on the telephone,” she added.
The Italian Consulate in Miami confirmed to CNN that they’re working with the international ministry in Italy, which is involved with the households of the detained, however couldn’t share any particulars.
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