State officials have told vendors at the Alligator Alcatraz immigration jail in the Florida Everglades to prepare for the camp's dismantling beginning next month, according to the New York Times. The facility, celebrated by Donald Trump for its harsh conditions, has been a focal point of controversy since opening last July.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who spent $1.2 million a day operating the camp, acknowledged its temporary nature at a press conference on Wednesday. 'We didn't build any permanent facilities down there because we knew it was going to be temporary,' he said, adding that the camp had processed 22,000 undocumented immigrants. He indicated that the federal government now has resources to house detainees elsewhere.
However, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson denied pressuring Florida to close the facility, stating that DHS 'continuously evaluates detention needs.' The camp, located on mosquito-infested land 50 miles west of Miami, holds up to 1,400 prisoners in metal cages. Human rights groups have reported torture, forced disappearances, and denial of legal representation, though officials deny mistreatment.
Environmental groups and immigration advocates have welcomed the impending closure. Elise Bennett of the Center for Biological Diversity called the camp 'a stain on our nation and a blight on the Everglades.' The groups are pursuing a lawsuit over environmental damage to the fragile wetlands and Miccosukee tribal lands. Attorney Paul Schwiep vowed to continue the legal fight even after closure, citing the need for restoration.
