The controversial U.S. immigration facility, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” has officially closed its doors less than a year after it first opened.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis made the announcement during a visit to the site, nestled in the heart of the Everglades in southern Florida. Notably, Tom Homan, the former chief of border security under the Trump administration, accompanied him for this significant event.
According to DeSantis, the center has ceased operations and no longer houses detainees. “Alligator Alcatraz has fulfilled the purpose it was built to serve,” he stated, asserting that the facility has successfully contributed to the deportation of “many, many dangerous individuals” from both Florida and the United States.
Constructed in a mere eight days last June, the center was established on a decommissioned airstrip in a swampy region known for its abundant alligator, crocodile, and python populations. Flashback to its inception: this facility emerged as a key project during President Donald Trump’s administration, aimed at expediting the removal of undocumented immigrants. Following its opening in July, Trump himself visited the center, highlighting its austere conditions and making light of the reptiles that prowled nearby, suggesting they could serve as guards.
However, the facility has faced significant scrutiny over the treatment of its residents. DeSantis noted that since its inception, over 22,000 individuals had their cases processed and subsequently removed from the country. Authorities have confirmed that the final detainees have either been transferred to similar centers or deported.
Reports from various American media outlets indicate that the companies responsible for operating the facility have begun a complete dissolution of their operations. Meanwhile, environmental advocates and Native American groups have sought legal avenues to halt the project, reflecting ongoing concerns about its environmental impact.
The construction and operation of Alligator Alcatraz have been estimated to cost over one billion dollars — a figure that translates to more than 6.5 billion Danish kroner.
This closure marks a significant chapter in Florida’s immigration landscape, raising critical questions about future policies and practices in the ongoing debate over immigration reform.
