Closure of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’: Court Orders Vacate—What You Need to Know

Florida’s controversial immigration detention center, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” is set to close, according to state officials. A federal judge recently ordered the facility, located in the Everglades, to be dismantled within 60 days due to harsh conditions and ongoing legal challenges.

Kevin Guthrie, the head of Florida’s emergency management, indicated that the jail would likely be empty soon. He wrote in an email that the number of detainees is expected to drop to zero within days. This follows the relocation of many detainees to other facilities ahead of the ruling.

Local protests have marked the facility’s existence, with activists reporting sightings of buses transporting detainees out. Congressman Maxwell Frost noted that only 300 to 350 individuals were left at the site during his recent visit. Originally, the center was promoted by former President Donald Trump as a place to detain up to 3,000 undocumented immigrants, whom he described as “the most vicious people on the planet.”

Since opening in July, the facility faced backlash over allegations of poor treatment and lack of legal access for detainees. Critics, including environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe, argued that the center damaged the local ecosystem. Their lawsuits claimed that long-term investments in environmental restoration were undermined by the construction of the facility.

A recent report showed that many detainees had no criminal records or pending cases, further fueling the controversy. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) joined legal efforts against the center, alleging that detainees were mistreated and denied their rights.

The closure marks a pivotal moment for immigration policy in Florida, especially as the state plans to open another detention facility in the north, referred to by DeSantis as a “deportation depot.”

In summary, “Alligator Alcatraz” is on the verge of closure, reflecting a growing acknowledgment of the need for humane treatment and environmental responsibility in immigration policies. For more detailed information, you can check the full reports from the Associated Press and The Guardian.

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