Florida 'Alligator Alcatraz' Detains 700+ Migrants Amid Access, Conditions Concerns

Florida's new migrant detention center, dubbed 'Alligator Alcatraz,' has sparked controversy over who is being held and the conditions inside. While officials including Governor Ron DeSantis and President Donald Trump assert that only the most dangerous criminals are detained there, reports and attorney accounts reveal that many detainees, including asylum seekers with no criminal records, are being held in harsh and possibly inhumane conditions. Inmates report being subjected to freezing temperatures, pest infestations, inadequate sanitation, and limited access to legal counsel, with some forced to bathe in toilet water and receiving maggot-infested food. The facility, located in the Everglades and costing roughly $450 million annually, was built rapidly using emergency powers and houses around 3,000 detainees in tent-like structures surrounded by extensive security measures. Despite the government's claims that detainees can waive their right to hearings and expedite removal, attorneys face difficulties accessing clients, and families sometimes learn of detainees' locations only through phone calls. These conditions and opaque management have led to criticism from lawmakers and human rights advocates who describe the environment as 'vile' and a violation of detainees' rights.