The "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention center in Florida, notorious for its environmental impact and detainee conditions, is poised for shutdown following a federal judge's ruling, marking a significant setback for Trump-era immigration policies.
With approximately $218 million already spent on converting a training airport into this controversial facility, Florida taxpayers face an additional $15 to $20 million in costs for its dismantling.
Reports indicate that the number of detainees has dwindled dramatically, with officials suggesting the facility could be completely empty within days as operations wind down.
High-profile figures, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, are entangled in the fight to keep the center running, reflecting the ongoing battle over U.S. immigration enforcement.
Dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz" due to its remote Everglades location, the center symbolizes the complexities and controversies surrounding the treatment of migrants in America.
This impending closure not only highlights financial implications but also underscores the shifting tides in immigration policy and public sentiment toward federal detention practices.