Florida's Controversial Immigration Detention Center Shuts Down

WHO:

AP - Governor Ron DeSantis stated, “We stepped up because there was a gap, but my hope is that they’ll be able to handle that,” regarding the closure of the detention center.

AP - Tom Homan, White House border czar, praised DeSantis, saying, “Gov. DeSantis did a good job, and he’s going to continue doing what he’s doing to help us make this country safe again.”

Miami Herald - Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava expressed a desire for the county-owned property, including about 17,000 acres of wetlands, to be turned over to the National Park Service for Everglades restoration.

AP - Governor Ron DeSantis announced the closure of the immigration detention center.

AP - President Trump and DeSantis supported the establishment of the detention center.

AP - Tom Homan, White House border czar, commented on Florida's role in immigration enforcement.

AP - Paul J. Schwiep, attorney for Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity, spoke about environmental concerns.

WHAT:

AP - The detention center, known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” was described as having served its purpose and was closed after housing over 20,000 immigration offenders.

Miami Herald - DeSantis indicated that the facility was built in a matter of days last summer and was created under emergency powers.

Miami Herald - DeSantis stated that the possibility of the detention center reopening in the future “could be negligible.”

Miami Herald - DeSantis mentioned that the other state-run immigration detention center, Baker Correctional Institution, also known as Deportation Depot, in Sanderson, Florida, remains open.

AP - DeSantis stated that the closure of the facility was due to safety concerns related to the hurricane season.

Miami Herald - The population at the facility decreased from around 1,400 in early April to 655 by May.

Miami Herald - DeSantis mentioned that the remaining immigrants transferred out of the facility still remain in federal custody.

Miami Herald - DeSantis expected the facility to be formally closed within two weeks.

Miami Herald - The facility was built on approximately 6,000 acres of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport.

AP - The Florida immigration detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz” has closed.

AP - The center opened in July 2025 and was intended to be temporary.

AP - 21,000 people were deported through the facility.

AP - Detainees reported poor conditions, including worms in food, non-flushing toilets, and flooding with fecal waste.

WHERE:

AP - The detention center was located in the Florida Everglades.

WHEN:

AP - The facility was temporarily closed earlier in June.

AP - The center was built in a matter of days by DeSantis’ administration.

WHY:

Miami Herald - Environmental groups are continuing their legal battle, asserting that the administration believes it can "quietly walk away and leave its mess for others to clean up."

AP - Environmental groups are continuing their legal battle, asserting that the administration believes it can "quietly walk away and leave its mess for others to clean up."

Miami Herald - DeSantis indicated that the facility was created under emergency powers to address a gap in immigration enforcement.

AP - The closure was attributed to safety concerns due to the hurricane season.

AP - DeSantis stated the center was a response to a gap in immigration enforcement until more permanent facilities could be secured.

HOW:

Miami Herald - Detainees reported poor conditions, including difficulty accessing lawyers, and described the facility as having large white tents with rows of bunk beds surrounded by chain-link cages.

Miami Herald - Lawyers for the immigrants reported that their clients had been moved to other facilities in South Florida, California, Arizona, Louisiana, and Texas earlier in the month, causing confusion for families and legal representatives.

AP - Lawyers for the immigrants reported that their clients were moved to other facilities without prior notice, causing confusion for families and legal representatives.

AP - Detainees were transferred to other facilities in South Florida, California, Arizona, Louisiana, and Texas.

AP - The detention center was constructed with no oversight or proper permits.

(UPDATED June 26, 2026 19:33 UTC)

Governor Ron DeSantis announced the closure of the detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” which had housed over 20,000 immigration offenders, stating that he hopes others will be able to manage the situation moving forward. Tom Homan, the White House border czar, praised DeSantis for his efforts, emphasizing that he is committed to making the country safer. The facility, built in just a matter of days last summer under emergency powers, faced criticism from environmental groups and detainees who reported poor conditions and limited access to legal support.

(UPDATED June 26, 2026 11:54 UTC)

Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava is advocating for the transfer of approximately 17,000 acres of county-owned wetlands to the National Park Service to aid in Everglades restoration. Meanwhile, Governor DeSantis has indicated that the chance of reopening a detention center in the future is likely very low, although the Baker Correctional Institution, also known as Deportation Depot, remains operational. Additionally, lawyers representing immigrants have reported that their clients were relocated to various facilities across South Florida, California, Arizona, Louisiana, and Texas earlier this month, leading to confusion for families and legal representatives.

(UPDATED June 26, 2026 08:13 UTC)

Governor DeSantis announced that a facility built on approximately 6,000 acres of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport will be closed due to safety concerns related to the hurricane season, with formal closure expected within two weeks. The population at the facility has significantly decreased from around 1,400 in early April to just 655 by May, and the remaining immigrants have been transferred to other federal custody facilities, often without prior notice, leading to confusion for families and legal representatives. This facility was initially created under emergency powers to fill a gap in immigration enforcement.

(UPDATED June 26, 2026 04:26 UTC)

Governor Ron DeSantis has announced the closure of the immigration detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” which opened in July 2025 and was intended to be temporary. The facility, located in the Florida Everglades, has faced criticism for poor conditions, including reports of worms in food and flooding with fecal waste, and it has deported 21,000 people during its operation. Detainees are now being transferred to other facilities across South Florida, California, Arizona, Louisiana, and Texas, as the closure was attributed to safety concerns amid the hurricane season.