A top Florida official has indicated that the controversial ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ immigration detention facility will likely be empty within days, as revealed in an email, despite ongoing legal battles to keep it operational. This development follows a federal court order to shut down the facility due to environmental and legal concerns.
The ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ facility, located in the Florida Everglades, was constructed rapidly on a rarely used airstrip and has faced criticism for harsh conditions, including reports of inadequate medical care and environmental damage. Built in just eight days, it was designed to detain immigrants but has been at the center of multiple lawsuits.
In an email dated August 22, 2025, Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, stated that the number of detainees would drop to zero within a few days. This communication was in response to inquiries about chaplaincy services from South Florida Rabbi Mario Rojzman, and the email’s authenticity was confirmed by involved parties.
This revelation comes after U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams ordered the facility to wind down operations within 60 days on August 22, citing violations of environmental laws and threats to sensitive wetlands. The judge’s decision was based on lawsuits filed by environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe, who argued the facility harmed ecological restoration efforts.
The state of Florida and the federal government appealed the court order and requested a stay to continue operations, arguing that the facility was necessary due to overcrowding at other detention centers. However, on August 27, Judge Williams denied the stay request, emphasizing that the facility was temporary and that defendants failed to provide new compelling arguments.
The detention center has a capacity for thousands of detainees but currently houses only a few hundred individuals, as reported during a recent tour by U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost. Construction and operation costs are estimated at around $400 million, with state contracts exceeding $245 million, highlighting the significant investment in the project.
Environmental and tribal concerns have been central to the opposition, with advocates stressing the impact on the Everglades’ ecosystem, which includes protected species and decades of restoration work. The Miccosukee Tribe, whose lands are affected, has been particularly vocal in challenging the facility’s legality.
In response to these challenges, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced plans for a new immigration detention facility in north Florida, dubbed ‘Deportation Depot,’ signaling a continued focus on strict immigration enforcement policies in the state.
The imminent emptying of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ marks a pivotal moment in the intersection of immigration policy, environmental law, and judicial oversight, with potential implications for future detention facilities and legal precedents.