The popular online marketplace Etsy has received backlash from its users for facilitating the sale of merchandise using the “Alligator Alcatraz” branding. The term refers to a detention center that Immigration and Customs Enforcement recently established in Florida.

  • The GOP made waves shortly after the polarizing detention center was opened by selling “Alligator Alcatraz” branded T-shirts, hats and other promotional products through the Republican Party of Florida’s webstore.


There have been many negative reports concerning inhumane conditions within the detention center. The Associated Press reported that the facility has served food with worms in it and provided detainees with toilets that don’t flush, resulting in fecal matter flooding to their feet. The Tampa Bay Times, New York Times, CBS, Washington Post and Newsweek have all also reported improper treatment at the Florida center.

Still, the GOP and Etsy are not alone in making money off of “Alligator Alcatraz” merchandise. Similarly branded items are also being purchased at e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and eBay.

Etsy’s ‘Discrimination And Hateful Content Policy’

While many other online platforms are selling “Alligator Alcatraz”-themed products, a large contingent of Etsy users have made the argument that Etsy is in violation of its own discrimination and hateful content policy by facilitating the sale of such merch. This has led a growing number of buyers and sellers to go to various social media platforms to call for a boycott of Etsy.

  • Under said policy, Etsy claims to want “everyone on Etsy to feel safe” while “fostering an inclusive environment.”
  • In order to serve that mission, the policy prohibits the use of services that discriminate against people based on a list of attributes, which includes “immigration status.”


@yaptrapped @Etsy thoughts here?? #etsy #alligatoralcatraz ♬ original sound – yaptrapped


Online forums like Reddit and Threads have also called out Etsy for what they perceive to be a lack of congruence with the policy’s purpose and the spirit behind the “Alligator Alcatraz” merch.