Lawmakers Clash Over Conditions at Florida Alligator Alcatraz Detention Center

Florida's new Everglades immigration detention facility, nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz," has sparked a sharp divide among lawmakers following state-arranged tours. Republican representatives, including María Elvira Salazar, described the facility as meeting high federal standards, highlighting clean cages, adequate beds, and access to telephones and religious materials, although they noted inmates were not permitted to speak directly with legislators. In contrast, Democratic lawmakers, such as Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Maxwell Frost, condemned the facility as overcrowded, unsanitary, and resembling an internment camp with detainees confined in cages holding up to 32 men sharing minimal toilet and sink facilities, alongside reports of bug infestations and high temperatures. Democrats criticized the remote swamp location and the state's decision-making process, asserting detainees were packed wall-to-wall and that the facility represents human rights abuses. Republicans countered these claims, stating the facility was well-maintained, air-conditioned, and safe, accusing Democrats of exaggeration. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem affirmed that any issues at the center have been addressed and noted discussions with other Republican governors about similar detention setups.