Man who lived in Florida for 20 years is deported without saying goodbye to his family after ICE detention

A 61-year-old Canadian man who had lived in Estados Unidos for more than 20 years was deported to Canadá this Wednesday. Douglas Dixon was arrested by Serviço of Imigração and Alfândega from the USA in February during a meeting with the parole officer. Ele spent 65 days in detention centers, including one known as Alcatraz of the Alligators, located in Everglades of Flórida.

The deportation took place without Dixon having the opportunity to say goodbye to his wife and children who remain at Flórida. Ele boarded a American Airlines flight from Miami to Toronto wearing the same clothes as on the day of the arrest. Dixon lost approximately 40 pounds during his period of detention.

Prisão occurred during parole meeting

Douglas Dixon moved from Montreal to Golfo’s shores of Flórida in 2005. Ele built a life alongside his wife Jo Ann Collison and became a grandfather. The couple had a valid green card. Nos Last years, Dixon worked as a food delivery person through the DoorDash app.

The arrest took place on February 10th. Dixon attended an after-hours summons with the probation officer. Seis ICE agents approached him at the scene, pushed him against a wall, handcuffed him and took him away. Ele managed to make a call to her daughter Amy Bazley. Ela reported hearing his father say he had been detained by ICE.

Dixon was initially taken to the detention center known as Alcatraz of the alligators, in Everglades. Ele was placed in a cell designed for 32 men. Havia only two urinals and a toilet in the space, with a strong urine odor present at all times.

• The place received detainees along with 17 other people at the time of Dixon’s arrival
• Ele spent nine days on first installation before transferring
• Lights were turned on every four hours at night to count inmates
• Dixon developed a urinary tract infection during one of the transfers

Canadian living in Florida detained by ICE, sent to infamous ‘Alligator Alcatraz’
61 yo Douglas Dixon has been deported after living in Florida for two decades. His business failed during the pandemic and he owed back taxes https://t.co/vY8KycqaHB

— Judy Trinh (@judyatrinh) April 15, 2026

Dívida tax motivated the deportation process

Dixon’s situation is linked to a previous case of tax evasion. Durante the Covid-19 pandemic, the smoothie shop he operated in Port Charlotte had to close its doors. Ele has accumulated a debt of over $30,000 in back taxes.

Dixon pleaded guilty and accepted an installment payment plan. Nos three years later, he paid off about two-thirds of the total amount. Ainda had approximately $12,000 remaining owed to the U.S. government at the time of his arrest.

Cartas’s friends who attested to Dixon’s good character were sent to the authorities. Não is unclear whether the judge read the material during the proceedings. The hearing took place online and lasted around ten minutes. The judge ordered immediate deportation for Canadá and imposed a lifetime ban on returning to Estados Unidos.

The family followed the entire procedure with great concern. Wife Jo Ann Collison hesitated to go to the airport to monitor the boarding. Ela feared that ICE agents could prevent his return to Estados Unidos if he decided to travel together.

Condições in the detention center were described as strict

Dixon reported that detainees were kept in fenced cells. Ele compared the environment to a collective cage. The place was extremely cold, which made it difficult to sleep. Night counts with lights on happened frequently.

Ele stated that most of the people detained at the center had families and work histories. Dixon said he did not encounter individuals considered dangerous at the facility. Todos inmates cheered for each other during the shared period, according to the report.

The center at Everglades is nicknamed Alcatraz by the alligators because of its remote location in a swampy area. The facility houses hundreds of inmates in structures divided into sections. Relatos include restrictions on rest times and basic hygiene.

Dixon has undergone at least one transfer to another center close to Clewiston, at Flórida. Durante During the total of 65 days of detention, he gave several telephone interviews. Ele lost significant weight and reported ongoing difficulty sleeping.

Daughter Amy Bazley described the first call as a shocking moment. The line had static, but the father’s message was clear. The family maintained limited contact throughout the detention process.

Retorno to Canadá marks the end of a phase

Dixon landed on Toronto after Miami’s flight. Ele had not traveled by plane recently and expressed relief upon setting foot on Canadian soil again. Parentes on Canadá welcomed him after the long period of uncertainty.

His wife and children remain at Flórida. Dixon left behind the life he built over more than two decades. Ele mentioned the difficulty of being separated from his grandchildren for an indefinite period of time due to the ban on return.

The case involves a Canadian who maintained legal residence in Estados Unidos through a green card. The detention occurred in the context of immigration inspection combined with previous legal disputes related to taxes.

Dixon is one of two Canadians confirmed to be detained at the Everglades detention center. The other case was also reported by the same news source. Ambos faced similar deportation proceedings.

Detalhes about the detention center in Everglades

The alligator detention center known as Alcatraz is in a remote area of ​​Everglades. The facility was built to house immigration detainees. Conditions Relatos include high humidity, strong odors, and limited number of restrooms per section.

Dixon described the treatment of detainees as inappropriate for people with family ties and a history of contributions. Ele spent nights unable to sleep due to the cold and constant interruptions. The environment was described as noisy and uncomfortable.

The deportation hearing followed the standard procedures of the immigration system. Dixon was transported by ICE agents to Miami’s airport. Ele had no physical contact with his family prior to boarding.

The case highlights how old tax issues can lead to the detention and deportation of even green card holders with long-term residence in the Estados Unidos. Dixon paid the debt gradually until the moment of arrest.

The family at Canadá prepared the return with basic support. Dixon arrived wearing simple clothes and carrying few belongings. Ele plans to regain contact with relatives and seek stability after the period of detention.