U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has relocated detainees from a detention center in the Florida Everglades, commonly known as “Alligator Alcatraz.” This decision, confirmed by an ICE spokesperson to CBS News, stems from safety concerns related to the hurricane season. “For the safety of the detainees, we have transferred them to other facilities,” the spokesperson stated.
Previously, CBS News Miami disclosed that Florida’s state-hired companies were informed about the impending shutdown of Alligator Alcatraz, with around 1,400 detainees expected to be transferred. While Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin indicated that the facility wouldn’t close immediately, he acknowledged its weather-related vulnerabilities. “We have contingency plans for natural emergencies such as wildfires or hurricanes to ensure the safety of the detainees,” Mullin explained.
Alligator Alcatraz, located on a defunct airstrip in the Everglades, commenced operations last year. This was part of the Trump administration’s strategy to expand ICE’s detention capacity to increase arrests and deportations. Detainees were accommodated in large air-conditioned tents equipped with bunk beds and chain-link fence cells.
The Trump administration promoted Alligator Alcatraz as a budget-friendly option for housing individuals accused of illegal entry into the U.S. Officials claimed the facilities could serve as a prototype for future state-run immigration detention centers. Some suggested the center’s harsh environment might deter illegal immigration.
During a visit last summer, President Trump remarked, “We’re going to teach them how to run away from an alligator if they escape prison.” Former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem also warned that those not “self-deporting” might find themselves at Alligator Alcatraz.
The detention center faced significant opposition from immigration advocates, environmental groups, and a local Native American tribe. Critics highlighted the center’s inhumane conditions, citing issues like inadequate food, nonfunctional toilets, and restricted lawyer access. Despite these allegations, the Trump administration has refuted claims regarding substandard conditions.
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