Official Says Alligator Alcatraz Could Be Empty Within Days
A high-ranking Florida official says the state-run immigration detention center in the Everglades—dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz”—may be completely emptied within days, even as a legal fight continues over a federal order to shut it down by late October.
In an email sent August 22 to South Florida Rabbi Mario Rojzman, Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie stated, “We are probably going to be down to 0 individuals within a few days.” Both Rojzman and the executive assistant who initially reached out to Guthrie confirmed the message’s authenticity to the Associated Press.
The facility, constructed just two months ago, was designed to house up to 3,000 people detained as part of former President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda. At its peak, it held nearly 1,000 detainees. However, U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) said after touring the site last week that only 300 to 350 people remained. According to one of three lawsuits challenging the facility’s operations, at least 100 detainees have already been deported, while others were transferred to different immigration centers.
The news comes shortly after a federal judge in Miami ordered the site to close within 60 days, citing environmental and tribal concerns. Florida officials have appealed the decision, while the federal government has asked U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams to pause her order, arguing that the Everglades facility is still urgently needed due to overcrowding elsewhere in the state’s detention network.
The lawsuit that prompted the closure order was filed by environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe. They strongly opposed delaying the judge’s ruling and questioned the state’s claim that the facility is essential—especially in light of Florida’s plans to open another immigration center in North Florida, nicknamed “Deportation Depot” by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
That facility has stirred its own controversy. Home Depot objected to the Florida GOP’s attempt to sell “Deportation Depot” merchandise that mimicked the company’s branding.
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