Florida immigration facility prepares to close as detainees leave

The controversial immigration detention facility in the Florida Everglades, known colloquially as "Alligator Alcatraz," is anticipated to be empty soon, as revealed in a recent email from Kevin Guthrie, the head of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. As of the end of August 2025, a federal judge had ordered that operations at the facility wind down, with the last detainee expected to depart within a matter of days. Previously housing nearly a thousand detainees, reports indicated that only 300 to 350 remained, leading to concerns regarding availability of space in other facilities as Florida handles rising immigration pressures. This facility has faced numerous lawsuits related to its operations, including one that halted the transportation of new detainees due to allegations of severe mistreatment and poor living conditions, such as lack of food hygiene and proper medical care. In response to legal challenges and public outcry, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced plans for a new immigration detention facility dubbed "Deportation Depot," emphasizing the state's ongoing efforts to manage immigration despite the ruling to shut down this particular site. Environmental groups and indigenous tribes have also been involved in litigation against the facility, arguing that its operation poses risks to sensitive ecosystems, thus raising awareness of the facility's broader implications beyond just immigration issues. The developments around "Alligator Alcatraz" reflect ongoing national debates regarding immigration policy, detention practices, and the balance between environmental protection and state-run facilities.