Ron DeSantis Responds to Potential Closure of 'Alligator Alcatraz' Detention Center

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has staunchly defended the continuation of state-run immigration operations following news that the contentious immigrant detention center in the Everglades—known colloquially as “Alligator Alcatraz”—could soon be emptied. Speaking on Wednesday in Orlando, DeSantis emphasized that his administration is committed to the detention and deportation of immigrants, supporting federal efforts in this regard.

“Our role is to provide additional capacity for processing, detention, and deportation. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) dictates who enters and exits these facilities,” DeSantis stated, referencing the federal agency. Despite a federal judge's order mandating the closure of the center within 60 days, DeSantis reiterated Florida’s dedication to its mission. “We are there to act as a force multiplier, and we will continue to do so; I believe it’s a vital mission,” he affirmed.

Infrastructure Demands and New Facilities

DeSantis underscored the ongoing necessity for facilities like “Alligator Alcatraz.” “The demand remains very strong,” he noted, pointing out that the state is constructing another detention center in Baker County, dubbed “Deportation Depot,” with a capacity for 1,300 individuals. This new facility would complement the existing one in the Everglades, which was built to hold up to 3,000 detainees.

Incident Fuels Migration Policy Rhetoric

During his address, DeSantis cited a recent case to bolster his hardline stance on immigration. He narrated the story of a driver from India who, according to DeSantis, entered the country illegally, obtained a commercial license in Washington state without English proficiency, and subsequently caused a fatal accident in Florida. “That individual was not properly prepared to drive a truck. This is what happens when there are no checks,” he said. DeSantis announced efforts to extradite the driver for trial in Florida, stressing his objective to “protect the people” against perceived failures in federal immigration policy.

Contradictory Developments Surrounding Alligator Alcatraz

While DeSantis promises more detention centers, developments suggest otherwise. According to the Associated Press, a state official indicated via email that the center “is likely to be empty within days.” The email, dated August 22, was from Kevin Guthrie, director of Florida’s Division of Emergency Management, responding to a query about religious services for detainees. This comes in the wake of Federal Judge Kathleen Williams’ order to dismantle the center following lawsuits by environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe, alleging violations of environmental protection laws by constructing the center in a protected part of the Everglades.

Allegations of Inhumane Conditions

Alongside legal and environmental pressures, three lawsuits from civil rights organizations describe deplorable conditions at “Alligator Alcatraz.” Complaints include maggot-infested food, non-functional toilets, floors flooded with sewage, constant insect infestation, and detainees held without charges and outside the public ICE tracking system. Lawyers argue these issues highlight an anomaly within the U.S. immigration system and criticize the lack of transparency since the facility's opening on July 1, just two months ago.

The governor’s insistence on expanding detention infrastructure contrasts with the judicial setbacks, societal pressure, and apparent inconsistencies between political rhetoric and logistical actions. “If it were that difficult, they wouldn’t have emptied it so quickly,” questioned Elise Pautler Bennett, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, reflecting on the rapid evacuation of the center.