Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated on Thursday that the immigration detention center colloquially known as 'Alligator Alcatraz' was always intended to be a temporary facility. His remarks came on the same day The New York Times reported that state and federal officials had begun preliminary discussions regarding the shutdown of the facility, located in the Florida Everglades.
Since its opening last summer, the center has processed and deported 22,000 detainees, according to DeSantis. 'At some point, we will, of course, break it down. That was always the goal,' the Republican governor said during a news conference in Lakeland. He added that if the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) determines it has sufficient resources to house detainees elsewhere, the facility will be wound down.
DeSantis noted that DHS officials have not explicitly requested the facility's closure, but the idea has been under review since Markwayne Mullin became the department's new secretary in late March. 'You take a fresh look at these things,' the governor said.
Detainees at the facility have reported poor physical conditions and difficulties in accessing legal counsel. In response, DHS issued a statement on Thursday denying that it was urging Florida to cease operations at the center. 'Florida continues to be a valuable partner in advancing President Trump's immigration agenda, and DHS appreciates their support. DHS continuously evaluates detention needs and requirements to ensure they meet the latest operational requirements,' the statement read.
The state of Florida has been spending more than $1 million per day to operate the facility, and DeSantis has expressed expectations of reimbursement from the federal government. To date, the state has not received the $608 million it has requested.
According to a handbook made public as part of a lawsuit concerning detainees' access to attorneys, detainees are segregated based on criminal history and flight risk. The handbook states that during regular head counts, detainees are prohibited from moving or speaking; violations can result in punishment, including being locked in their housing unit, affecting all occupants of the dormitory.
