POLITICS

Florida to close Everglades 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention center

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ORLANDO, Fla. Florida will remove detainees and dismantle the Everglades detention center known as 'Alligator Alcatraz' by early June, state contractors were told this week. Vendors received notice that detainees will be moved 'by the start of' June and the site will be dismantled in the following weeks, officials and reporting outlets said. Environmental groups have pursued litigation alleging the facility lacked a required environmental review, and a lower court previously ordered it closed before an appellate court temporarily allowed operations; the case has now returned to the district judge. Gov. Ron DeSantis called the site temporary, and reports say the state engaged with federal partners about winding down operations this week.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

State established the Everglades detention center to hold migrants during enforcement operations.
Environmental groups sued, alleging the construction lacked required environmental review.
A district judge ordered the site to wind down before an appellate court temporarily stayed that order.
The appellate court kept the facility open for the time being, then remanded the case to the lower court.
This week vendors were reportedly told detainees will be removed by the start of June and the site dismantled.

Why This Matters to You

The closure of 'Alligator Alcatraz' impacts Florida's handling of migrant detainees. It also highlights the importance of environmental reviews in state projects. If you're a Florida resident, you can track how your tax dollars are spent on such issues.

The Bottom Line

The Everglades detention center is closing due to environmental concerns. It's a reminder that all state projects must respect the environment. Worth forwarding if you know someone interested in environmental or immigration issues.