‘Wound down and shut down’: Orlando Rep. Maxwell Frost says ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ is closing

He described a “silent” scene of dwindling staff, emptied offices, and whispers of “decompressing” the facility

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix May 28, 2026May 28, 2026

“Alligator Alcatraz” is slowly closing shop, flying detainees to other facilities, and emptying office cubicles, according to Frost.

Florida News

‘Alligator Alcatraz’ payments land at last: $58 million to hit Florida next week

It’ll be the first installment of the federal government’s promised $608 million reimbursements

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix May 18, 2026May 18, 2026

Florida News

DeSantis addresses reports that ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ may close soon

He did not dispute the possible shutdown, instead reiterating that it is a stopgap meant to help the federal government house detainees

by Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix May 8, 2026May 8, 2026

Florida News

Florida spent $34M on tech at ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ but says phones for detainees too expensive

Adding landlines or building cell towers would be “entirely unfeasible,” DEM argued Wednesday in court filings

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix April 25, 2026April 25, 2026

Florida News

Is ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ under federal control? Answer could decide environmental groups’ case

Chief Judge William Pryor appeared skeptical of the environmental lawyers’ argument that the federal government is the primary caretaker

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix April 9, 2026April 9, 2026

Immigration

ICE-friendly Florida leads nation in immigration arrests

The Miami-based ICE field office has arrested more people on immigration charges than any other field office in the U.S.

by McKenna Schueler March 27, 2026April 1, 2026

Orlando Area News

Jerry Demings applauds GOP sheriffs for speaking against federal immigration efforts

“They have gone overboard,” Orange County Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Demings said of ICE

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix March 23, 2026March 23, 2026

Florida News

Sheriff Grady Judd still backs ICE, but calls for ‘path forward’ on immigration

Judd, a top Republican and favorite of Gov. DeSantis, doubled down by again calling for an end to deportations of undocumented immigrants who “add to society”

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix March 18, 2026March 18, 2026

News

Orlando airport authority launches food drive for TSA workers affected by DHS funding lapse

The federal funding lapse began last month with a disagreement in Congress over Democrats’ proposed reforms to ICE

by McKenna Schueler March 5, 2026March 6, 2026

News

Trump administration won’t pay for ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ construction costs, DOJ says

A $608 million federal reimbursement won’t cover construction costs — if the money comes through at all

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix February 26, 2026February 26, 2026

News

Eyeball scanners, surveillance towers part of $40M immigration grants for local police

DeSantis approved more than $40 million in Florida immigration grants to pay local law enforcement to capture and hold detainees

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix February 24, 2026February 24, 2026

News

Florida to give $50M to local law agencies for immigration enforcement

About half of those funds are being allocated to only one county.

by News Service of Florida February 19, 2026February 19, 2026

News

Florida backs down: DeSantis’ emergency fund can be used on immigration

Uthmeier called the House’s plan to limit spending “moronic” while the governor’s staff suggested the bill’s architects aren’t real Republicans

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix February 18, 2026February 18, 2026

News

New bill blocks Florida emergency funds from being used on immigration

Democrats on Monday railed against these expenditures, calling it an “abuse” of public money

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix February 16, 2026February 16, 2026

News

Florida bill to brand certain groups as domestic terrorists advances

The bill includes a provision that would ban schools with affiliations to designated foreign or domestic terrorist organizations from receiving school voucher funds

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix February 11, 2026February 11, 2026