U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has relocated detainees from a controversial detention facility in the Florida Everglades, known as Alligator Alcatraz. An ICE spokesperson shared this information with CBS News, pointing to safety concerns during the hurricane season.
The spokesperson emphasized the focus on the well-being of the detainees in their statement, confirming the transfer to other facilities. CBS News Miami previously reported that companies contracted by Florida to operate Alligator Alcatraz had been advised of the facility’s closing, with around 1,400 detainees slated for removal.
Despite the facility’s imminent closure, Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin indicated there were no immediate plans to shut it down. He acknowledged the site’s weather-related vulnerabilities and assured that contingency plans for emergencies like wildfires or hurricanes were in place to ensure the safety of those housed at the center.
Alligator Alcatraz, situated on a defunct airstrip in the Everglades, opened last year under the Trump administration. The initiative aimed to quickly expand ICE’s detention capabilities, facilitating increased arrests and deportations.
Detainees at the temporary site were accommodated in large, air-conditioned tents equipped with bunk beds and chain-link fence-enclosed cells. Officials promoted it as a cost-effective housing solution for individuals accused of illegal presence in the U.S. Some suggested its austere environment and challenging locale could deter illegal immigration.
During a visit last summer, former President Trump remarked on the site’s demanding environment, humorously suggesting it would teach detainees how to avoid alligators if they tried to escape. Ex-Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem warned that those who did not voluntarily leave the U.S. could end up at Alligator Alcatraz.
The facility faced considerable criticism and legal challenges from immigration advocates, environmental groups, and a local Native American tribe. Accusations of harsh conditions surfaced, including inadequate food, malfunctioning toilets, and limited access to legal assistance. The Trump administration refuted claims about unsatisfactory conditions at the center.
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