The Mayor of Miami-Dade, Daniella Levine Cava, was met with a bold response from Florida's Attorney General, James Uthmeier, regarding her persistent request for access to the migrant detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz. Rather than addressing the request personally, Uthmeier delegated the task to his communications director.
The response was posted directly on social media platform X by Jeremy Redfern, the communications director for the Attorney General, who dismissed the matter with a terse and challenging message: "1) No. 2) No, no, and no. Any other questions?" This statement formally rejected Levine Cava's main requests: weekly reports, remote video monitoring, and visits by her team to the Alligator Alcatraz facility.
Mayor's Demand for Access and Transparency
Prior to this, Levine Cava had reached out to the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Florida Attorney General, and the state's Division of Emergency Management, seeking permission for her and her team to access Alligator Alcatraz. Her goal was to oversee the safety, conditions of the detained migrants, and the potential environmental impact of the site.
The mayor expressed her concerns by stating, "Federal immigration measures prioritize fear and law enforcement over compassion and justice. We are witnessing overcrowded detention centers right here in our community, where immigrants, the vast majority with no criminal history, are kept in unsafe conditions."
Selective Visitation and Congressional Criticism
While access was denied to the mayor's office, the Florida Division of Emergency Management arranged a visit for state legislators and Congress members, scheduled for this Saturday. Entry will be restricted solely to elected officials, with no additional staff or aides allowed.
This move has been sharply criticized by Democratic voices in Congress. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz warned that it's a tactic to hide the true state of the center: "We anticipate ICE and the Florida Division of Emergency Management will try to cover up the inhumane treatment of detainees with a limited and sanitized visit, along with rehearsed responses."
Civil organizations have also voiced skepticism. Thomas Kennedy from the Florida Immigrant Coalition openly questioned the lack of transparency: "If this place is so great, why the secrecy? Why the lack of transparency?" His organization has urged Levine Cava to consider legal action against the state and has launched a public campaign with billboards to apply pressure.
Allegations of Conditions Inside Alligator Alcatraz
Reports from Univision and NBC6 have highlighted harsh conditions within Alligator Alcatraz, citing issues such as:
- Scarcity of drinking water.
- Restricted access to showers.
- Extreme temperatures — ranging from freezing cold to dangerously hot.
Although state authorities have denied rumors of deaths at the facility, HCA Florida Kendall Hospital confirmed receiving a patient transferred from the center, without disclosing details about their condition.
In response, Stephanie Hartman, Deputy Director of Communications for the Division of Emergency Management, defended the facility's management. "Reports about the conditions at the facility are entirely false. The facilities meet all required standards and are in good working order," she stated.
Even though Levine Cava's administration recently signed an agreement allowing the county's Corrections Department to transport detainees to federal facilities, a spokesperson for the mayor confirmed that no detainees have been sent to Alligator Alcatraz to date.
FAQs on Alligator Alcatraz and Migrant Detention Issues
What are the main concerns about Alligator Alcatraz?
The main concerns include overcrowding, unsafe conditions for migrants without criminal backgrounds, scarcity of drinking water, limited access to showers, and extreme temperature conditions.
Why did Mayor Levine Cava request access to Alligator Alcatraz?
Mayor Levine Cava requested access to ensure the safety and humane conditions for detained migrants and to assess the potential environmental impact of the facility.
How has the Florida government responded to criticisms about the detention center?
The Florida government, through its Division of Emergency Management, has denied allegations about poor conditions, stating that the facility meets all required standards and operates efficiently.