US Transfers All Immigrant Detainees Out of Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz' Facility

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Wednesday that all immigrant detainees have been transferred out of a Florida detention facility called Alligator Alcatraz, effectively closing the controversial center. DHS spokesperson Lauren Bis told The Associated Press that the transfers were made 'for the safety of the illegal alien detainees' due to the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. She did not specify the number of people transferred or their destinations. The facility, located inside Florida's Big Cypress Natural Preserve, opened in July 2025 after being announced a year ago. Named after the infamous Alcatraz prison, it used its swamp surroundings—including alligators and pythons—as a deterrent against escape. The center faced immediate opposition from Indigenous leaders of the Miccosukee and Seminole nations, who said it disrupted their homelands and ceremonial sites. Lawyers and human rights groups questioned whether temporary units could withstand South Florida's heat, heavy rains, and hurricanes. Over its year of operation, detainees reported denial of legal access, medical neglect, and food infested with worms. The ACLU's Amy Godshall, who led a lawsuit over lack of legal services, stated: 'Transferring people out of this cruel facility is an important step, but it does not erase the harm that has already been done.' She demanded permanent closure. The center had a capacity of 3,000 and was claimed to withstand Category 2 hurricane winds. The announcement coincided with the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, Tropical Storm Arthur, located in the Gulf of Mexico and moving toward Louisiana.