Fact Check: Did Kristi Noem say a cannibal tried to eat himself on an ICE deportation flight?

WASHINGTON, DC: Kristin Noem, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, visited the new Florida migrant detention center named "Alligator Alcatraz" on Tuesday, July 1, along with President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Soon after her visit, a rumor circulated online claiming that Kristi Noem said that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) attempted to deport a cannibal who tried to eat himself while on board a deportation flight. But is there any truth to this? Let's find out below.

Claim: Kristi Noem said cannibal tried to eat himself on ICE deportation flight

A claim went viral in early July stating that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement sought to deport a cannibal who tried to eat himself while on board a deportation flight. 

An X user @nicksortor posted a clip of Noem making the statement during a press conference. The user captioned the post, "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."

The claim also went viral on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, Reddit, and TikTok.

A Facebook user wrote, "Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem dropped a bombshell during a July 1, 2025, press conference, revealing that an illegal immigrant detainee, described as a cannibal, attempted to eat his own arms during a deportation flight. Speaking alongside President Donald Trump at the new “Alligator Alcatraz” detention facility in Florida’s Everglades, Noem used the chilling incident to underscore the urgency of the Trump administration’s mass deportation program targeting “the worst of the worst."

True: Kristi Noem did make such statement in a press conference

The claims made in the online posts are true, as Kristi Noem did make the statement during a news conference at the "Alligator Alcatraz" detention center in Florida on July 1, per Snopes.

Noem said in her statement, "The other day I was talking to some marshals that have been partnering with 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."

Moreover, Noem described the person as "deranged".

Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson said Noem was referring to the incident referenced in a June 27, 2025, X post, according to British media.

Noem wrote in the post, "Had some plane issues on the ride back from Guatemala. Fortunately, an @ICEgov deportation flight carrying criminal illegal aliens had just touched down on the same tarmac in Guatemala. Hitched a ride back to the USA on ICE Air — great flight. Use the @CBP Home App to self deport now!"

Trump’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ floods one day after opening

Trump administration's 'Alligator Alcatraz' was already underwater just one day after its grand opening, and a visit from the president.

The migrant detention center, nestled deep in Florida’s Everglades, experienced minor flooding following nothing more than a typical summer shower.

The National Weather Service in Miami estimated that around an inch and a half of rain fell after the president's visit, raising serious questions about its preparedness and safety.

Meanwhile, local journalist Jason Delgado captured troubling footage of water leaking into the facility.

A clip by him revealed rainwater seeping along the base, puddles forming on the floor, and runoff dangerously close to exposed electrical wiring, all while rain pelted the tent’s roof. 

Moreover, the unexpected flooding was confirmed by state emergency spokesperson Stephanie Hartman, who downplayed the incident.

She said, "Overnight, the vendors went back and tightened any seams at the base of the structures that allowed water intrusion during the heavy storm, which was minimal."