The controversial Everglades detention facility known as Alligator Alcatraz has been completely dismantled this week, one month after Governor Ron DeSantis announced its closure. Aerial footage provided by WPLG showed the site now sits empty after housing undocumented immigrants for approximately one year.
News of the facility's closure first broke in May. U.S. Representative Maxwell Frost visited Alligator Alcatraz on May 26 and told WPTV he observed clear signs of operations winding down, including packed-up intake areas and a significantly reduced detainee population. The facility had detained roughly 1,500 people at a time during peak operations. Governor DeSantis said 21,000 detainees were deported through the facility during its operational period.
ICE confirmed on June 16 that all detainees had been removed from the facility in preparation for hurricane season. The timing of the complete evacuation allowed the dismantling process to proceed ahead of the peak months of tropical storm activity that typically threaten South Florida.
Environmental groups are preparing to continue their federal lawsuit despite the facility's removal. The organizations argue that both state and federal governments still need to provide a full accounting of what structures were built, what environmental damage occurred to the Everglades ecosystem, and how the site will be restored to its natural condition. The lawsuit seeks to ensure proper remediation of the sensitive wetland area where the temporary detention facility operated.