ICE empties Florida’s Alligator Alcatraz detention center

U.S. immigration authorities have removed all detainees from a controversial Florida detention facility known as "Alligator Alcatraz," citing safety concerns at the onset of the Atlantic hurricane season. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced the transfer this week, stating the detainees were moved from the soft-sided facility for their safety. The agencies did not specify the number of individuals relocated or their destinations, nor did they confirm whether the closure is permanent.

The South Florida Detention Center, a state-run facility located on a remote airstrip within the Big Cypress National Preserve in the Everglades, opened on July 1, 2025. It was constructed in a matter of days under the administration of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to support federal immigration enforcement. Since opening, the facility has processed approximately 22,000 individuals, according to the governor.

Advocacy groups and immigration attorneys immediately questioned the official reasoning for the evacuation, noting the facility was built and opened during the 2025 hurricane season. They allege the transfer is a pretext for scaling down a...