Key facts
- All detainees have been transferred from the 'Alligator Alcatraz' immigration facility in Florida's Everglades.
- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security cited hurricane season safety as the reason for the transfers.
- The facility, which opened in July 2025, faced persistent criticism for harsh conditions and alleged mistreatment.
- The daily operating cost for the facility was an estimated $1.2 million.
- The first tropical storm of the 2026 hurricane season formed off the Texas coast.
All detainees have been transferred from an isolated immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades, known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced, citing concerns for their safety during the approaching hurricane season.
The facility, which opened in July 2025, has been a subject of persistent criticism from lawyers, families, and human rights groups who have denounced alleged mistreatment of detainees. Conditions described by detainees and advocates included worms in food, non-flushing toilets, flooded floors, and widespread insects. The facility, built by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' administration, was toured by President Donald Trump just two days before its opening.
DHS spokesperson Lauren Bis stated that the transfers were made for the safety of the detainees. The department did not specify the number of detainees transferred or their new locations, nor did it confirm if the facility would close permanently or temporarily. The hurricane season runs from June through November.
Immigration advocates, including the ACLU, have called for the permanent closure of the facility, citing harm already done to detainees and alleging a lack of access to legal representation. Governor DeSantis had previously stated the South Florida Detention Facility was intended to be temporary, noting it had processed and deported 22,000 detainees. Attorneys reported that clients were moved without official notification, with transfers discovered through missed hearings or calls. One immigration attorney confirmed that all 50 of her clients had been moved to various facilities across multiple states.