"Alligator Alcatraz" Detention Facility to Be Empty in Days, Despite Federal Fights to Keep it Open

Strategic Insights -

A high-ranking Florida official has stated that the contentious state-run immigration detention facility in the Everglades, dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz" by locals, is likely to be empty within days, despite ongoing legal battles between the state's Republican administration and the federal government. According to an email exchange obtained by The Associated Press, Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie wrote on August 22 that "we are probably going to be down to 0 individuals within a few days."

This development comes as a federal judge in Miami ordered the facility to wind down operations, with the last detainee needing to be out within 60 days. The state of Florida had appealed the decision, and the federal government requested that the judge put her order on hold pending the appeal. Environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe, whose lawsuit led to the judge's ruling, opposed the request.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie stated that the "Alligator Alcatraz" detention facility will likely be empty within days, with only 0 individuals remaining.
  • The facility was ordered to wind down operations within 60 days by a federal judge in Miami, with the state of Florida appealing the decision and the federal government requesting a stay.
  • Environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe, who sued over the facility's construction, opposed the federal government's request for a stay.
  • The facility was built at a cost of over $245 million and signed more than $245 million in contracts for building and operating the facility, which officially opened on July 1.
  • U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost toured the facility last week and stated that only between 300 to 350 detainees were being housed, a fraction of the facility's total capacity.
  • The disagreement over the facility's status has environmental implications, as the groups opposing it claim that the facility threatens environmentally sensitive wetlands and could reverse billions of dollars spent on environmental restoration.

Statistics:

  • The facility will be empty within days, with no individuals remaining.
  • The state of Florida has signed more than $245 million in contracts for building and operating the facility.
  • The facility officially opened on July 1.
  • Between 300 to 350 detainees were being housed at the facility at the time of U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost's tour, despite the facility's total capacity.
  • Environmental groups claim that the facility threatens environmentally sensitive wetlands and could reverse billions of dollars spent on environmental restoration.

Sources:

  • Kate Payne, "Florida official: Immigration detention facility likely to be empty in days", The Associated Press, August 26, 2023.
  • Mike Schneider, "Judge orders Florida to wind down immigration detention center", The Associated Press, August 18, 2023.
  • Associated Press, "Florida appeals judge's order to close immigration detention center", August 24, 2023.