Over 1,000 detainees go missing at Alligator Alcatraz facility

In the state of Florida, significant concerns have emerged regarding the status of approximately 1,200 men detained at the Alligator Alcatraz immigration facility. A report from the Miami Herald revealed that the locations of many detainees have become unclear, with around 800 individuals showing no record in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) online database. Furthermore, over 450 detainees had records with unclear locations, prompting the search directive to 'Call ICE for details.' The facility operates under state jurisdiction and does not appear frequently in federal databases, leading to suspicion regarding the potential deportations of detainees without final orders. This situation is exacerbated by the fact that family members and attorneys have difficulty locating these individuals due to the absence of their details from the Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS). Many detainees at Alligator Alcatraz are reportedly unable to communicate effectively with their families or legal representatives. The lack of transparency has sparked lawsuits against the facility's operators, alleging violations of constitutional rights—including access to legal representation and conditions of confinement. The ACLU has voiced concerns over the treatment of detainees at Alligator Alcatraz, describing the facility as functioning similarly to a concentration camp. Additionally, while the Florida government continues to operate Alligator Alcatraz, they recently opened a second facility named the Deportation Depot. This new center might also face scrutiny similar to that of Alligator Alcatraz, especially concerning facility management and the associated legal rights of detainees. While ICE has a long history of managing detention facilities properly, the emergence of state-run centers raises questions about oversight and accountability. Both facilities have been described as lacking sufficient record-keeping and transparency, which may lead to further complications regarding the detainees' legal statuses. Despite ongoing legal challenges, Florida's Republican Governor Ron DeSantis plans to proceed with detaining individuals at Alligator Alcatraz and other state-run facilities. As the state continues to build upon its controversial immigration policy framework, other states are starting to mirror Florida's approach by establishing their own immigration detention facilities. These developments raise alarms among advocates for immigrant rights, as the rights of those detained in state-run centers may remain exposed to violations due to insufficient regulatory frameworks and federal oversight.