On Tuesday, a coalition of family members of detained immigrants and pro-immigrant organizations staged a protest outside the controversial Alligator Alcatraz prison located in the Everglades, Florida. Their primary demand is the immediate closure of the facility and the transfer of the detainees to centers that provide more humane conditions.
The demonstration, fueled by anguish and frustration, highlighted the lack of access to information concerning the detainees, poor sanitary conditions, and violations of basic rights such as legal defense access. Protesters voiced these grievances to Univision.
"The fear for my son's life is unbearable. I imagine the worst, that he might be thrown to the alligators... He's not on any ICE list," tearfully expressed Yaneysi Fernández, whose son is among the missing detainees.
Protesters accused authorities of maintaining a veil of secrecy around the prison's operations, which currently houses over 1,000 immigrants. According to testimonies, after the transfer of immigrants to the "Krome Processing Center"—commonly referred to as “Alligator Alcatraz”—families lost access to clear information about their relatives' whereabouts, legal status, or health conditions.
"We urgently demand access for lawyers and that the constitutional rights of these individuals be respected," stated a protest spokesperson.
Activists like María Bilbao from the American Friends Service Committee also challenged the legality of the land on which the prison was built, citing a 2023 proclamation that has yet to be audited, as they claim.
A recent Miami Herald study revealed that operating Alligator Alcatraz costs Florida around $78 million, a figure activists decry as “outrageous” given the alleged substandard conditions of the facilities.
"It's an excessive expense to confine people in inhumane conditions," criticized Bilbao. The complaints focus on issues such as lack of hygiene, overcrowding, and inadequate medical and food services.
During the protest, references were made to reports of detainees sleeping in overcrowded tents without proper ventilation, infested with mosquitoes.
As public outcry and allegations grow, several Republican congress members from South Florida have defended the facility's operations. Representative Mario Díaz-Balart recently toured the site, asserting that conditions “are appropriate and meet all standards.”
However, congress members like Debbie Wasserman Schultz painted a starkly different picture after visiting the center. “This is a cage. There are 32 people per block, packed like sardines within tents,” the Democratic representative lamented.
For families, restoring contact with their loved ones remains a top priority. “There are no clear lists. We don't know if they are alive, sick, or have been moved. We want answers, not silence,” concluded one of the protesters.
As protests and demands escalate, the future of Alligator Alcatraz remains under intense scrutiny. On Monday, Cuban Americans in Florida demonstrated outside the offices of representatives Carlos Giménez and María Elvira Salazar, accusing them of lying about the supposed "good conditions" of the prison.
Key Issues Surrounding Alligator Alcatraz
What are the main complaints against Alligator Alcatraz?
The primary complaints include lack of information access for families, poor sanitary conditions, overcrowding, and violations of detainees' basic rights, such as access to legal defense.
How much does the operation of Alligator Alcatraz cost?
The operation of Alligator Alcatraz costs Florida approximately $78 million, a figure criticized as excessive given the reported poor conditions.
What do activists demand regarding the detainees?
Activists are demanding urgent access for lawyers and that the constitutional rights of the detainees be respected.
What is the legal controversy surrounding the land of Alligator Alcatraz?
The legality of the land is contested, as it was acquired through a 2023 proclamation that has yet to undergo an audit, raising questions about its legitimacy.