Nearly 500 migrants have been deported from the Alligator Alcatraz detention center in the United States, a crucial site for air-based deportation operations. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed this on Tuesday, emphasizing the strategic importance of the facility, which is situated at a former abandoned airport in the Everglades.
"More than 100 migrants have been directly deported from there, and an additional 300 to 400 have been flown out after awaiting deportation from other locations across the United States. It's essentially a hub," DeSantis stated during the Florida Sheriff's Association summer conference.
Central Deportation Hub in the United States
Operated in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the center facilitates the direct deportation of individuals detained in Florida. It also serves to relocate migrants to other states for further processing and final deportation flights.
"If the detainees hail from six or seven different countries, they are transported to states like Louisiana, where they are segregated by nationality and placed on separate flights," the governor elaborated.
Initially opened by former President Donald Trump on July 3, the site was transformed into a migration center by the state government after years of neglect. Currently, it can accommodate 2,000 individuals, with plans to expand capacity to 4,000, making it a vital component of the U.S. border control apparatus.
DeSantis Advocates the Strategy as a Deterrent
The Republican governor defended the increased pace of deportations as a crucial measure to curb illegal immigration in Florida: "Accelerating these deportation flights benefits Florida because it serves as a significant deterrent," he asserted, while also reiterating his commitment to expanding detention infrastructure.
DeSantis expressed readiness to establish another migration center at Camp Blanding, a National Guard base in the northern part of the state, but clarified that such an expansion would depend on achieving a sustained deportation rate from Alligator Alcatraz.
He also pointed out that between 50,000 and 80,000 migrants in Florida are already under final deportation orders, positioning the state at the forefront of the immigration policy promoted by the Trump Administration.
Legal Challenges and Human Rights Concerns
The deportation operations have sparked controversy. Two federal judges have requested details from both federal and state governments about the center's management, in light of two ongoing lawsuits: one filed by migrant rights advocates and another by environmental organizations.
Both lawsuits argue that the authorities have failed to clarify who ultimately oversees Alligator Alcatraz, potentially allowing them to bypass legal obligations related to environmental and human rights standards.
Meanwhile, the center has been the focus of protests. Last week, dozens of activists and relatives of detainees demonstrated outside its gates, labeling it a "concentration camp" and a "dog cage."
Since its opening, civil organizations have reported at least 1,000 detentions, with six individuals hospitalized for various reasons.
Key Questions on Alligator Alcatraz Deportations
What is the capacity of the Alligator Alcatraz detention center?
The facility currently has the capacity to hold 2,000 individuals, with plans to expand to 4,000.
How many migrants have been directly deported from Alligator Alcatraz?
Over 100 migrants have been directly deported from the center, with an additional 300 to 400 flown out after processing.
Why is Alligator Alcatraz considered a strategic deportation hub?
The center's strategic location and ability to process and relocate migrants for final deportation flights make it a key component in U.S. border control efforts.