All Detainees Removed from Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” Detention Center

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that all detainees held at the “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration detention facility in the Florida Everglades have been transferred to other ICE locations. The move was justified as a safety precaution ahead of the Atlantic hurricane season; the agency did not disclose how many people were relocated or their new destinations.

The tent‑style camp opened on July 3 2025, built by Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration and toured by former President Donald Trump. Since opening, advocates and lawyers have repeatedly described substandard conditions – infestations, non‑functioning toilets, lack of medical care and limited access to counsel. ACLU attorney Amy Godshall said, “Transferring people out of this cruel facility is an important step, but it does not erase the harm that has already been done.”

Immigration advocates argue the hurricane rationale is a pretext, noting that transfers have left families and attorneys unable to locate dozens of detainees. State officials have not confirmed whether the camp will be permanently closed, though DeSantis has described it as a temporary solution. The DHS spokesperson Lauren Bis reiterated the agency’s stance: “For the safety of the illegal alien detainees, we transferred them to other facilities.”