Closure of Everglades Detention Center Receives Praise from Immigrant Rights Advocates
MIAMI — Immigrant rights organizations are celebrating the announcement of the permanent closure of the controversial Everglades Detention Center, infamously labeled “Alligator Alcatraz” for its appalling conditions. This decision was revealed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis during a press conference, following reports of detainees being moved to other Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities in preparation for the impending hurricane season.
Last July, a coalition including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), ACLU of Florida, and Americans for Immigrant Justice filed a lawsuit against the detention center, highlighting issues such as lack of access to legal representation and violations of due process for detainees. Situated on an abandoned airstrip amidst the wetlands of Ochopee, the facility was hastily constructed using tents and trailers, and was surrounded by hazardous wildlife, including crocodiles and pythons, while being vulnerable to flooding.
While advocacy groups welcomed the closure, they urged vigilance. “The existence of this facility is a tragedy, given the inhumane conditions and evident violations of due process,” stated Carmen Igina González, deputy director of immigration detention at the ACLU’s National Prison Project. She added, “Although we celebrate this closure, the horrific realities seen at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ echo broader systemic abuses within other ICE facilities nationwide. Our concern is that detainees may be relocated to other centers facing similar degrading conditions, and we will continue to monitor this development closely.”
Keisha Malfort, Deputy Executive Director and Strategy Director at ACLU of Florida, remarked, “With the official closure of Alligator Alcatraz, we must recognize it as a failed endeavor. This facility exemplifies the consequences of a state government prioritizing federal enforcement over humanitarian values, costing Florida taxpayers over $1 billion in the process. This is not governance—it’s brutality masked as policy.” She further emphasized the importance of public activism in achieving this outcome, attributing the closure to the efforts of countless Floridians who refused to remain passive.
“Closing this facility marks a significant step forward, but we must remember that the obligation to uphold due process extends beyond the gates of any specific facility,” Paul R. Chavez, director of litigation and advocacy at Americans for Immigrant Justice, stated. He warned that the issues experienced at Everglades Detention Center reflect systemic flaws within the broader immigrant detention framework. “We are deeply concerned that those moved from this location may encounter similar abuses in other facilities, and our organization will continue to advocate for due process and provide free legal representation to vulnerable immigrant communities.”
The closure of the Everglades Detention Center symbolizes not only a victory for activists but also highlights the need for ongoing scrutiny of the immigrant detention system. As representatives from various organizations expressed their relief, they reinforced that this achievement must serve as a catalyst for further reforms.
For further details, the official press release can be accessed through the ACLU’s website.
