On Saturday, a delegation of Florida state legislators and congressional members conducted their initial inspection of the detainment facility infamously dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz." Situated on an abandoned airstrip deep within the Everglades, what they observed—and what they were barred from seeing—left them appalled. The reported conditions inside this so-called "internment camp" elicited a strong condemnation from Democrats, who decried it as an unsanitary, dangerous political setup.
A "Charade" Amidst Mosquitoes, Heat, and Infested Mattresses
During a guided tour, the group was led by Kevin Guthrie, the head of Florida's Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), which oversees the facility. The visit, described by some lawmakers as "sanitized" and "limited," did not allow them to speak with detainees or staff. Democratic Senator Carlos Smith, among those outraged, called for the facility's immediate closure. State Representative Anna Eskamani from Orlando criticized the lack of transparency regarding the rules and procedures governing detainees' rights and statuses, as reported by Florida Phoenix.
The tour revealed insect-infested mattresses, showers and toilets lacking privacy, temperatures in purportedly climate-controlled areas reaching 83 to 85 degrees, and inadequate food portions. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) described the conditions as "really disturbing and vile," urging for the facility's closure.
Later, she took to social media to express her discontent: "Even during a limited, sanitized visit, it was evident: this is an internment camp. Our taxpayers' money is being squandered to cruelly cage human beings."
Overcrowding and Dehumanizing Conditions
Democratic lawmakers noted that 32 men are crammed into each cage, sleeping on basic bunks and sharing three toilets with integrated sinks. "They drink and brush their teeth in the same place they defecate," Wasserman Schultz reported. With 750 individuals confined in cages, the lawmakers were not allowed to interact with them or enter occupied areas. State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith highlighted the presence of non-criminal immigrants among the detainees.
Legislators like Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) reported hearing detainees shout from the tents, with one yelling, "I'm an American citizen!" while others chanted "Freedom!" Frost also mentioned clogged toilets and "feces strewn everywhere." He emphasized the collective shame this situation should invoke across political lines, stating, "Immigrants aren't the poison in this nation's blood; they are its lifeblood."
Representative Darren Soto (FL-9) criticized the $500 million expenditure and warned of potential flood hazards. He described the facility as a "dangerous, wasteful political stunt" that jeopardizes not only migrants but also federal agents and the National Guard.
A Risky and Costly Endeavor
Constructed in merely eight days on the old Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport’s runway, the center started receiving detainees on July 2, according to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. Government reactions have been defensive; State Senator Blaise Ingoglia, an ally of Governor DeSantis, dismissed criticisms as "political theater," claiming he found the beds comfortable. Republican Senator Jay Collins also defended the center, stating it was "clean and functioning well."
Originally coined by Republicans, the term "Alligator Alcatraz" has been ironically adopted by critics as a symbol of abuse.
Institutional Debate and Future Outlook
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the conditions at a Tampa conference, asserting that all existing issues have been resolved and lauding the facility as a "fantastic resource." She revealed that five Republican governors have shown interest in replicating the model, without naming them. Democratic Representative Jared Moskowitz, a former FDEM director, offered a more nuanced view, stating that while dire, the facility is not comparable to concentration camps.
The Archdiocese of Miami has labeled the center "corrosive" and "inappropriate," joining the chorus demanding its immediate closure.
FAQs on Alligator Alcatraz Detention Center
What is the Alligator Alcatraz detention center?
Alligator Alcatraz is a migrant detention center located on an abandoned airport runway in the Everglades, Florida. It is known for its controversial conditions and has been criticized as an unsanitary and dangerous political maneuver.
Why are lawmakers demanding its closure?
Lawmakers are calling for the closure of Alligator Alcatraz due to reports of overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, lack of privacy, inadequate food, and the overall treatment of detainees, which they view as inhumane.
How much did the facility cost to build?
The construction of the Alligator Alcatraz detention center reportedly cost $500 million and was completed in just eight days.