Published：Jun 17, 00:03Last updated：Jun 20, 03:03

Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz' Detention Center Closes

Jun. 17, 2026 00:03

Illegal migrants were evacuated from a detention center in Florida known as 'Alligator Alcatraz' due to the hurricane season. ICE and Florida authorities transferred the detainees to other facilities for safety reasons. The center may be closed soon, with the remaining detainees relocated in the coming weeks.

Summarized

8News

7Media

Jun. 18, 2026 21:27

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced on Thursday, June 18, 2026, that detainees at Florida's "Alligator Alcatraz" detention center have been relocated due to hurricane season. The move aims to ensure safety as the storm season begins. The facility has faced criticism for its conditions in the past.

Jun. 20, 2026 03:03

The migrant detention center known as 'Alligator Alcatraz,' located in Florida's Everglades National Park, has closed less than a year after its inauguration in July 2025. Established by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, the center became a symbol of the U.S.'s anti-migrant policies, detaining up to 1,400 people under harsh conditions.

The controversial 'Alligator Alcatraz' immigration detention center in Florida's Everglades has been evacuated and closed, with detainees relocated due to hurricane season concerns. The facility, criticized for harsh conditions and environmental impact, marked a key part of former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem's immigration strategy and was championed by Governor Ron DeSantis. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed the transfers, signaling a shift in detention policy. RIA Novosti+2

🌀 Hurricane Safety Measures

ICE and Florida authorities moved detainees from the vulnerable Everglades location as storm season began. The isolated facility's structural risks during hurricanes prompted the emergency relocation, though DHS hasn't disclosed the new detention sites. Activists argue the move should be permanent given the center's history of maltreatment. The Independent+2

🏛 Policy Shift Underway

The closure represents a setback for Noem's vision of a network of similar facilities and reflects changing priorities in immigration enforcement. Originally part of President Trump's strategy, the center's abrupt shutdown after less than a year suggests reevaluation of detention approaches. Governor DeSantis had promoted it as a symbol of strict border policies. Bloomberg+2

🌿 Environmental and Ethical Concerns

Located in the fragile Everglades ecosystem, the facility faced lawsuits over environmental damage and human rights violations. Advocacy groups documented poor living conditions and limited medical access for detainees. The relocation has reignited calls to abandon such remote detention models permanently. The Guardian+2

🔄 Detainee Transfers Completed

All 1,400 detainees were transferred to undisclosed facilities, though activists demand transparency about their new locations. The center's rapid closure—operational for under a year—highlights the volatility of immigration policy implementation. DHS maintains the action was purely precautionary for storm safety. Toronto Star+2

ICEEvergladesKristi NoemRon DeSantisAlligator Alcatraz