{"id":2582,"date":"2026-05-26T19:31:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T19:31:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/houstonmovingjournal.com\/?p=2582"},"modified":"2026-05-26T19:31:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T19:31:19","slug":"is-alligator-alcatraz-closing-florida-congressman-speaks-at-ice-detention-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/houstonmovingjournal.com\/?p=2582","title":{"rendered":"Is ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ closing? Florida congressman speaks at ICE detention center"},"content":{"rendered":"
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OCHOPEE, Fla.<\/strong> – <\/span>As Florida has expanded its number of ICE detention centers in the state \u2013 with the addition of “Deportation Depot” in 2025 and a possible facility coming to Orlando \u2013 state leaders are speaking about the possible closure of “Alligator Alcatraz” in Collier County.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Read more Dog accidentally fires shotgun, striking woman yards away during chaotic gas station stop<\/a><\/p>\n

The Everglades Detention Facility, also called “Alligator Alcatraz,” is located near Ochopee at the abandoned Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport.<\/p>\n

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What we know:<\/p>\n

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On May 26, U.S. Representative Maxwell Frost, FL-10, will speak on reports that “Alligator Alcatraz” is expected to close in June with the over 1,400 detainees the facility is holding to be transferred. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Department of Homeland Security have not confirmed the closure or a specific date, but DeSantis has mentioned several times that “Alligator Alcatraz” was “always meant to be temporary.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

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“It\u2019s clearly temporary,” DeSantis said in January. “How temporary will depend on the pace that they have in terms of doing the expansion. We would anticipate that at some point they’re going to up their own capacity.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

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DeSantis also shared plans to expand ICE detention centers to Northwest Florida, calling it a “Panhandle-Pokey.”<\/p>\n

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Read more:\u00a0<\/strong>ICE detention center in Orlando? What we know<\/strong><\/p>\n

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I\u2019m on my way to “Alligator Alcatraz” right now to check on the people being detained there and get answers about human rights violations and environmental concerns. I\u2019ll update y\u2019all afterwards.\u00a0pic.twitter.com\/gyOMlD5xoR<\/p>\n

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\u2014 Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (@RepMaxwellFrost)\u00a0May 26, 2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Why is Rep. Maxwell Frost visiting \u2018Alligator Alcatraz’?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Before Frost’s press conference, he shared his views on the facility’s rumored closure, saying, “Hopefully, for the last time, I am on my way to Alligator Alcatraz.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

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In an X post, Frost said he’s traveling to “Alligator Alcatraz” to observe “environmental concerns,” he said, planning to conduct oversight on the treatment of the immigrants, including running bathrooms, running water and having the right amount of phones.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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“A lot of times, when a facility is being shut down, those things get pushed aside,” Frost said. He also plans to get clarity regarding the alleged shutdown and what will happen to the detainees.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Where are Florida’s ICE detention centers?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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In Florida, ICE’s website lists eight locations used as detention facilities, field centers or processing centers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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