Florida Democrats Plan Second Tour, File Lawsuit Over Alligator Alcatraz

A group of Democratic lawmakers is pressing for transparency and access to the controversial Florida immigration detention facility known as "Alligator Alcatraz," after being initially denied entry and filing a lawsuit against the state. Despite the state's offer of a limited, controlled tour, Democratic representatives criticized the event as a sanitized presentation that fails to reveal the true conditions, with reports of inadequate water supply, extreme temperatures, and cramped living quarters for detainees. Lawmakers, including U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, expressed concerns about detainee treatment and called for the facility to be shut down, while Florida officials, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, defended the center as professionally run and accused Democrats of political posturing. The governor rejected allegations of poor conditions, emphasizing compliance with Department of Homeland Security standards and dismissing the lawsuit as frivolous. Meanwhile, local officials like Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava have been denied access, fueling accusations of lack of transparency and prompting calls for legal action from advocacy groups. This ongoing conflict highlights deep divisions over immigration enforcement and detainee welfare at the Everglades facility.