News

Orlando lawmakers Anna Eskamani, Carlos Guillermo Smith among Dems filing lawsuit for being denied entrance to Alligator Alcatraz

‘The State is looking forward to quickly dispensing with this dumb lawsuit,’ DeSantis said Thursday

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix July 11, 2025September 1, 2025

News

Florida offers 90-minute tour of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ to lawmakers, U.S. reps after denying entry last week

‘What FDEM is offering doesn’t undo their illegal denial or fulfill their legal obligation to us,’ Orlando Rep. Anna Eskamani wrote

by Mitch Perry and Jackie Llanos, Florida Phoenix July 10, 2025August 25, 2025

News

Miami-Dade County mayor now wants oversight of Florida Everglades’ ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

The mayor voiced deep and growing concern about the safety of people in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

by Jackie Llanos, Florida Phoenix July 9, 2025August 11, 2025

News

Trump administration sides with Florida in fight over new immigration law

‘Florida’s law is in harmony, not conflict, with federal law,’ Justice Department attorneys wrote

by Jim Saunders, News Service of Florida July 9, 2025August 11, 2025

News

Groups suing over ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ say Florida and feds are partners in detention center

But Trump administration arguments have sought to distance the federal government from responsibility for the project

by Dara Kam, News Service of Florida July 8, 2025July 14, 2025

News

DeSantis claims ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ is temporary, but photos show new paving as environmental groups voice concern

‘The environmental impacts will be devastating,’ the groups wrote to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida

by Jackie Llanos, Florida Phoenix July 8, 2025August 20, 2025

News

‘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, Florida Phoenix July 7, 2025September 1, 2025

News

Feds say they’re not in charge of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ as migrants arrive, Florida Dems denied entry

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, Florida Phoenix July 4, 2025July 25, 2025

News

Big DeSantis campaign donor set to reap millions from ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention camp

The company has brought everything from large trailers to golf carts to a command post into the camp

by Bob Norman, Michelle DeMarco, The Florida Trident July 4, 2025September 1, 2025

News

Officials say ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ is ready to withstand hurricane season, but tents leaked after one rainstorm

The facility — which was built in eight days — can withstand Category 2 winds, officials say

by Chloe Greenberg July 2, 2025August 23, 2025

News

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

A similar center with the capacity to house 2,000 immigrants is set to open in Camp Blanding in Northeast Florida

by Jackie Llanos, Florida Phoenix July 2, 2025August 1, 2025

News

Florida now fighting ‘sham’ lawsuit against rushed ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ AG James Uthmeier says

‘My office will fight it in court,’ Florida AG James Uthmeier told his Fox News pals Bill and Dana

by Jim Saunders, News Service of Florida and Chloe Greenberg July 1, 2025July 9, 2025

News

Florida Gov. DeSantis confirms Trump will visit ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ this week

The president is “very excited” about authorizing the National Guards to act as immigration judges, DeSantis said

by Jackie Llanos, Florida Phoenix June 30, 2025July 6, 2025

News

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 30, 2025August 5, 2025

Immigration, News

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

by Ray Roa June 30, 2025March 8, 2026

News

Lawsuit launched to stop ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ from operating in Florida Everglades

The environmental groups complain the plan has not gone through any environmental review as required under federal law

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix June 30, 2025July 14, 2025

News

Hilton hotel workers in Orlando score wage increases, job protections in new union contract

According to the union, the new four-year contract includes increased protections for immigrant workers who face an uncertain future under the Trump administration.

by McKenna Schueler June 22, 2025July 9, 2025

News

Tension rises as activist coalition urges Orange County to guarantee due process for detained immigrants

Mayor Demings said at the board meeting that the Commission could revisit their agreement with ICE at a later date.

by McKenna Schueler June 4, 2025July 16, 2025

News

Two Central Florida Democrats join Republicans in support of bill expanding E-Verify mandate

The bill is unlikely to pass the Senate. Still, their votes send a message.

by McKenna Schueler April 25, 2025May 1, 2025

News

Calls for trigger resolution to cancel Orange County’s ICE agreement shut down by Mayor Demings

A coalition of advocates rallied to ask county leaders to draft policy ensuring due process for those detained by ICE.

by McKenna Schueler April 24, 2025July 17, 2025