Alligator Alcatraz Transfers Migrants to ICE Hubs

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that deportation flights for undocumented immigrants have begun from the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility in the Everglades, which operates in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security. The facility was established as part of President Trump’s intensified immigration enforcement strategy and is designed to accelerate both detention and removal of migrants. Recent flights have transferred detainees to ICE facilities in Louisiana or other hubs for further processing before final deportation, rather than flying them directly to other countries. The camp, located in a sensitive ecological area, has drawn criticism from environmental and human rights groups over its conditions. DeSantis promotes the center as a model for other states, while officials plan to expand operations with additional funding. Legal and humanitarian challenges to the facility and its practices are ongoing.