On Thursday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared the permanent shutdown of Alligator Alcatraz, the contentious immigration detention center located in the Everglades, west of Miami. This facility has been responsible for processing nearly 21,000 deportations in less than a year since it opened.
The announcement was made during a press conference held at the site itself, with White House "Border Czar" Tom Homan by his side.
"Today, there are zero detainees here. This facility has played a crucial role in removing dangerous individuals from the streets and not only from the state of Florida, but from the entire United States. The detainees who were housed here are still under federal custody. The demobilization efforts at this site are ongoing," stated DeSantis.
Florida's Role in Immigration Enforcement
The governor highlighted that Florida's detention operations contributed to nearly 30,000 additional deportations, with the state accounting for over 40% of all state and local immigration arrests nationwide.
DeSantis emphasized that the closure does not signify an end to Florida's collaboration with federal authorities: "Our 287G agreements remain in effect. Our facility in Baker County continues to operate, and our mission is ongoing."
The Brief History of Alligator Alcatraz
The center, officially known as the South Florida Detention Facility, was inaugurated on July 1, 2025, by Trump and DeSantis at the former Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee. It was constructed in just eight days using state emergency powers and could hold up to 5,000 detainees.
Operating costs exceeded $1.2 million per day, totaling over $1.2 billion. Florida requested federal reimbursement of $608 million but received only a partial payment of $58 million on June 1, 2026, with the remaining funds blocked due to legal challenges.
The formal closure process began on June 22 when Kevin Guthrie, Florida's Director of Emergency Management, informed suppliers of the complete demobilization order.
Controversy and Criticism
By June 17, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had already relocated all detainees to other facilities in Florida, California, Arizona, Louisiana, and Texas, citing precautions ahead of hurricane season.
The center faced serious allegations during its operation. Amnesty International documented severe overcrowding with 27 to 32 people per cage, overflowing toilets, undrinkable water, continuous lighting, and delays of up to 72 hours for medical attention in December 2025.
On April 2, 2026, guards used pepper spray on detainees protesting the lack of phone access. Additionally, nearly 60% of the detainees were classified by ICE as individuals without prior criminal convictions, contradicting the project's original justification.
The Impact on the Cuban Community
The Cuban community was significantly affected; a Human Rights Watch report from May 2026 revealed that between January 2025 and March 2026, 4,353 Cubans were deported to Mexico, making them the largest national group expelled to that country.
Homan expressed gratitude for Florida's cooperation and reiterated that the Trump administration's immigration agenda would continue with strict law enforcement. The Alligator Alcatraz site is set to transform into a small pilot training airport.
DeSantis concluded his remarks with a firm assertion: "I have no doubt that this has saved lives."
Frequently Asked Questions About Alligator Alcatraz Closure
Why was Alligator Alcatraz closed?
Governor DeSantis announced the closure due to the facility having zero detainees and ongoing demobilization efforts. The center had processed nearly 21,000 deportations.
What were the costs associated with operating Alligator Alcatraz?
The operating costs exceeded $1.2 million daily, totaling over $1.2 billion. Florida sought federal reimbursement of $608 million but received only $58 million due to legal disputes.
What kind of allegations did Alligator Alcatraz face?
The center faced allegations of severe overcrowding, inadequate living conditions like overflowing toilets and undrinkable water, and significant delays in medical attention.