News & Views

‘This isn’t a field trip — it’s oversight’: After being denied entry, Florida lawmakers get access to Everglades detention facility

Lawmakers will be allowed entrance from 11 am to 12:30 pm. on Saturday.

by Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix July 10, 2025July 16, 2025

News & Views

Miami-Dade County Mayor wants monitoring authority over Florida’s new Everglades immigrant detention center

Levine Cava’s letters come as she faces mounting criticism over the county’s response to the detention center, which the state is calling ‘Alligator Alcatraz.’

by Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix July 9, 2025August 10, 2025

News & Views

Groups suing over so-called ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ say feds and state of Florida are partners in the detention center

The facility is intended to house, process and deport migrants, with National Guard troops and private contractors providing security.

by Dara Kam and News Service of Florida July 8, 2025July 21, 2025

News & Views

DeSantis says Everglades detention center is temporary, but photos show new paving that concerns environmental groups

Groups have filed lawsuits against construction in the highly sensitive environment of the Big Cypress National Preserve.

by Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix July 8, 2025August 31, 2025

News & Views

‘Cartoonish’ depictions of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ among criticisms of Florida immigrant detention center

Both the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida have denounced the opening of the detention center.

by Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix July 7, 2025July 11, 2025

News & Views

Officials claim ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ can withstand hurricane season, but tents leaked after one rainstorm

DeSantis administration officials say the leaks were fixed overnight.

by Chloe Greenberg July 4, 2025July 13, 2025

News & Views

As migrants arrive in the Everglades, feds tell court they’re not in charge of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security neither funded nor authorized the tent and trailer detention center, according to a court filing.

by Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix July 4, 2025August 1, 2025

News & Views

Firm connected to big DeSantis donor is set to reap millions from construction of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

In total ARS has donated nearly $400,000 to Republican coffers.

by Bob Norman, Michelle DeMarco and The Florida Trident July 3, 2025August 29, 2025

News & Views

Hundreds of immigrants to arrive at Everglades detention center tonight, Uthmeier announces

“Next stop: back to where they came from.”

by Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix July 2, 2025July 6, 2025

News & Views

Photos: At ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ opening, immigration and environment activists face ‘Daddy’ Trump lovers

by Dave Decker and Ray Roa July 2, 2025October 23, 2025

Immigration, News & Views

After Florida ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ visit, Trump says he wants more states to build immigrant detention centers

by Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix July 2, 2025

News & Views

Trump visits Florida on Tuesday for ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ opening

Protests are planned to start at 10 a.m.

by Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix June 30, 2025July 4, 2025

News & Views

Former Florida Sen. Jeff Brandes says ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ could ‘have all kinds of issues with staffing’

‘Is it a federal facility, or is it a state facility that is leased to the feds? That’s an important distinction.’

by Ray Roa June 29, 2025August 1, 2025

Environment, Immigration, News & Views

Photos: In the Everglades, hundreds, including Betty Osceola, rally against Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker June 29, 2025

News & Views

There’s now a lawsuit to stop ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ from operating in the Florida Everglades

Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity filed the suit in the U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida.

by Mitch Perry, Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix June 27, 2025July 4, 2025

News & Views

DeSantis says ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ will have ‘zero impact’ on Everglades restoration

Democrats pushing back “don’t want the laws enforced at all” on immigration, he said in Tampa on Wednesday.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix June 25, 2025July 8, 2025

News & Views

DeSantis rushes ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ to detain undocumented immigrants in the Everglades

Critics called it a ploy to go viral at taxpayers’ expense.

by Christine Sexton, Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix June 24, 2025July 1, 2025