Homeland Security Secretary Noem Alleges Cannibalism Incident on Deportation Flight at New Florida Facility

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed Tuesday that a migrant on a deportation flight attempted to eat himself, an incident she cited to underscore the necessity of aggressive immigration enforcement. The statement was made during a press conference at Florida's newly established "Alligator Alcatraz" detention facility, where she was joined by President Donald Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis. Noem presented the anecdote as evidence of "deranged individuals" present in the U.S. who "don't belong here."

The alleged incident was relayed to Noem by U.S. Marshals partnering with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). "They said that they had detained a cannibal and put him on a plane to take him home, and while they had him in his seat, he started to eat himself, and they had to get him off and get him medical attention," Noem recounted. She emphasized that such individuals are among those the administration is targeting for removal to ensure public safety.

The claim quickly circulated, with social media figures like Nick Sortor tweeting, > "🚨 WTF?! Kristi Noem just revealed one of the illegals they arrested was a cannibal who began to EAT HIMSELF on a deportation flight THIS is why we need mass roundups. These people are ANIMALS." This sentiment echoed the administration's rhetoric regarding the need for increased deportations.

The "Alligator Alcatraz" facility, located in the South Florida Everglades, was rapidly constructed in approximately eight days to assist in the administration's mass deportation efforts. Described as a "state-of-the-art" facility with 3,000 beds, it is intended to process and deport individuals quickly. Governor DeSantis indicated that the first detainees were expected to arrive at the site soon.

Despite the gravity of Noem's claim, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE have not yet provided corroborating details for the alleged incident. News outlets reaching out for verification did not receive immediate responses. The anecdote was used by Noem to justify the administration's focus on removing "murderers, and rapists, and traffickers and drug dealers," attributing their presence to the policies of the previous administration.