Florida has transferred all detainees from the controversial Alligator Alcatraz detention center in the Everglades, citing safety concerns as hurricane season approaches. On Tuesday (June 16), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed the move but did not disclose the number of detainees relocated or their new locations.
The facility, opened last July by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to support President Donald Trump‘s immigration policies, was never intended to be permanent. Governor DeSantis stated at a news conference, “The state doesn’t direct people there. It’s DHS that directs them there. And so if DHS stops directing them there, then we obviously are not just going to. It was never meant to be permanent.” The facility’s closure was anticipated due to ongoing lawsuits and allegations of inhumane conditions, including poor food and nonfunctional toilets, as reported by CBS News.
Located on an unused airstrip in Big Cypress National Preserve, Alligator Alcatraz has faced criticism from immigration advocates, environmental groups, and local Native American tribes. Allegations of human rights abuses have surfaced, including claims of detainees being shackled in cages and denied basic necessities. Amnesty International reported instances of detainees being punished with arbitrary confinement.
Despite the controversies, the facility was promoted as a cost-effective model for housing individuals accused of being in the U.S. illegally. However, the cost of operating the center is estimated at $1.2 million per day, according to The Guardian.
With the detainees now relocated, the future of Alligator Alcatraz remains uncertain. Governor DeSantis emphasized that the state is being reimbursed by the federal government for over $600 million for the facility, which was always meant to be temporary.
Recent Comments