The 'Alligator Alcatraz' immigration detention facility in Florida has been evacuated amid a litany of allegations against it, including claims of arbitrary punishment and unsanitary conditions. The move follows months of intense scrutiny by human rights groups and the media, with numerous reports detailing severe mistreatment of detainees at the remote Everglades centre.
ICE officials confirmed on Tuesday that all detainees had been relocated to other sites, but declined to specify the exact number or new locations, citing safety concerns ahead of hurricane season. The facility, opened in July 2025 under former President Donald Trump's administration, was initially praised for its efficiency but quickly drew criticism from human rights groups and lawmakers.
Amnesty International's December 2025 report painted a stark picture of life inside the centre, with detainees alleging they were shackled in metal cages as punishment, left without water for extended periods. One detainee recounted witnessing individuals being placed in solitary confinement for attempting to assist others who needed medical attention.
A Guardian investigation earlier this month revealed further allegations of unsanitary conditions, including claims that prisoners were given spoiled water containing mosquito larvae. Detainees alleged that guards used the tainted water as leverage to coerce them into signing English-language documents they couldn't understand.
The closure of 'Alligator Alcatraz' comes as no surprise, with an investigation by the Florida Tributary estimating operational costs at approximately $1.2 million per day. In May, the New York Times reported that Florida planned to shut down the centre, citing state officials and vendors informed of impending detainee transfers.