Florida Official Says Alligator Alcatraz Likely to be Empty 'Within a Few Days'

A US district judge denied requests to pause her order to close the immigration detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz, leading a Florida official to send an email indicating that the facility will be empty shortly.

The Details: Associated Press (Left bias) obtained an email from Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie saying, “We are probably going to be down to 0 individuals within a few days.” This comes after U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams ruled on August 21 that Alligator Alcatraz must wind down operations.

Cost to Taxpayers: Associated Press reported that it will cost about $15 million to close the facility. Newsweek (Center bias) wrote that “Ron DeSantis Wasted $250 Million” on the facility, which will now close a few months after opening. Washington Examiner (Lean Right) wrote that the facility, were it to remain open, was projected to cost about $450 million annually.

Reports of Mistreatment: Associated Press and Newsweek noted allegations of mistreatment in the facility, with AP writing that the center has been “plagued by reports of unsanitary conditions.”

What’s Next: Washington Examiner highlighted that Alligator Alcatraz “began a trend in which Trump’s DHS partners with Republican states” to expand immigration detention facilities, reporting that “at least four immigration detention centers with their own nicknames have followed,” including Deportation Depot, the Speedway Slammer, and the Cornhusker Clink.