Controversial Florida Detention Center "Alligator Alcatraz" Permanently Shuts Down

On Monday, the companies tasked with running the immigration detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz” received orders to begin the complete dismantlement of the facility. This marks the end of what was touted as a $1.2 billion experiment in immigration policy, according to four sources referenced by CBS News Miami.

During a morning conference call with the center's contractors, Kevin Guthrie, Florida's Director of Emergency Management, announced the decision. One source mentioned that Guthrie anticipated "significant progress by Wednesday" in dismantling the site, which is situated deep within Florida's Everglades.

"All providers were notified," one source explained to CBS News Miami.

This closure brings an end to a facility that had been praised by Governor Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump as a model for other states during its inauguration on July 3, 2025, at the former Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee.

The last inmates departed the complex the week of June 16, either transferred to other centers or deported to third countries. Federal and state authorities initially justified the evacuation as a precautionary measure ahead of hurricane season, hinting that the facility might remain ready to accommodate new detainees.

However, sources close to the plan revealed that the intention to completely dismantle—removing fences, trailers, and other structures—had been in place much earlier.

The Financial Burden of Alligator Alcatraz

The primary reason behind the closure was the escalating operational costs. Total expenses exceeded $1.2 billion, with daily costs estimated at $1.2 million. In late 2025, Florida sought a federal reimbursement of $608 million, initially approved but stalled due to legal challenges and environmental concerns. Only a partial payment of $58 million was received on June 1, 2026.

Activating the "dismantlement" clauses in the contracts with providers means the state will incur additional fees that could reach tens of millions of dollars. For many involved companies, the news was a relief, as several have accrued millions in outstanding payments.

The dismantling process is expected to take around a week. Once completed, the site is planned to reopen as a small pilot training airport.

DeSantis's Stance and Human Rights Concerns

DeSantis had anticipated the closure in recent public statements. "If we turn off the lights tomorrow, we can say it served its purpose," the governor remarked during a press conference in early June. According to his figures, approximately 22,000 individuals passed through the facility during its operation.

However, nearly 60% of the detainees were classified by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as individuals without prior criminal convictions, contradicting the original justification for the project.

Since its opening, the center faced systematic allegations of inhumane conditions. In December 2025, Amnesty International documented overcrowding with 27 to 32 people per cage, overflowing toilets, undrinkable water, constant lighting, and delays of up to 72 hours for medical attention. The organization also reported a punishment area where detainees were chained outdoors, hand and foot.

The Cuban community was particularly impacted. According to a Human Rights Watch report from May 2026, between January 2025 and March 2026, 4,353 Cubans were deported to Mexico, making them the largest national group deported to that country, many of whom were elderly with decades of residence in the United States.

"I believe when all is said and done, it will be seen as a dark chapter in the history of the Everglades," warned Eve Samples, Executive Director of Friends of the Everglades.