DHSgov, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
A top Florida official has indicated that the immigration detention center in the Everglades, nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz," could be completely empty "within days."
The information comes from an email sent on August 22 by Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, to South Florida Rabbi Mario Rojzman. In the email, Guthrie stated:
“We’ll probably be at 0 individuals within a few days.”, suggesting that there would soon be no need for religious services there.
This announcement coincides with a court order issued in Miami requiring the center's closure by the end of October and prohibiting the admission of new detainees. The order responds to lawsuits filed by environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe, who argued that the site causes significant harm to the Everglades ecosystem.
Built quickly and operating since July 2025, “Alligator Alcatraz” had the capacity to hold up to 3,000 people, although at its peak it held close to 1,000. According to recent reports, that number has been reduced to between 300 and 350 detainees.
Criticism of deplorable conditions and legal dispute
Governor Ron DeSantis attributed the decline in the detention population to an increase in deportations by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), although federal legal documents allege that the decision to detain people at this facility rests with Florida, not DHS.
The facility has drawn criticism from civil rights lawyers, who denounced deplorable conditions, including inadequate sanitary facilities, infestations, and lack of legal access for detainees. Furthermore, lawsuits highlight the camp's potential environmental impact on protected lands.
In conclusion, Guthrie's email reflects that the center's closure appears imminent, amid legal pressure and widespread criticism regarding human rights and environmental conservation.
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