Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost and other Democratic lawmakers visited Florida’s controversial migrant detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz” on Saturday. The facility, built deep in the Everglades, holds up to 3,000 people and has drawn national attention for its remote location and tough conditions.
Frost said he and other members of Florida’s congressional delegation originally planned a surprise visit to the center. But once word got out, state officials extended them an official invitation instead.
“The reason why we wanted to do it unannounced is because we’ve heard these reports of toilets not flushing, people being denied showers, people not being able to make phone calls, horrible horrible conditions,” Frost said. “And when you show up unannounced you’re able to see things how they really are.”
He added, “I promise you over the last few days they’ve been cleaning up, trying to make it look all polished and this and that but a clean cage is still a cage.”
With so many politicians attending, the group had to split into smaller teams to tour the center in shifts. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schulz described what she saw saying the detainees were essentially packed into cages with 32 detainees per cage.
The detention center was quickly built by the state on an airstrip surrounded by swampland. Officials say it’s temporary and meant to help expand the United States’ migrant detention capacity from 41,000 to 100,000 people. The nickname “Alligator Alcatraz” is a reference to its remote location and echoes the famous federal prison in California.
Governor Ron DeSantis defended the center, saying it meets all required standards and more.
“We did not create the Four Seasons,” DeSantis said. “All the standards are a lot higher than were even required.”
While state leaders emphasize security and capacity, immigrant rights groups and lawmakers are focusing on the human cost. For now, “Alligator Alcatraz” is set to remain a key piece of Florida’s role in federal immigration enforcement.
Read What Florida’s New Immigration Enforcement Powers Mean for Local Communities
