Florida News

‘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

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

Florida has spent $460 million on immigration enforcement in past year

The fund was created in 2022 to handle hurricane preparation and response and other natural disasters

by Ana Goñi-Lessan, News Service of Florida May 12, 2026May 12, 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

Florida seeks to bar undocumented immigrants from state colleges

Students would have to “provide clear and convincing documentation that he or she is a citizen of the United States or lawfully present in the United States,” before admission

by Ana Goñi-Lessan, News Service of Florida April 17, 2026April 17, 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

News

DeSantis signs bill allowing officials to issue domestic ‘terrorist’ designations

It allows officials to designate domestic terrorist organizations in Florida and expel college students who “promote” them

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix April 6, 2026April 6, 2026

Florida News

DeSantis signs bill requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote — voting rights group sue

It will take effect Jan. 1, 2027

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix April 2, 2026April 2, 2026

Orlando Area News

Photos: Everything we saw at Orlando’s third No Kings rally

It was the third day of “No Kings” protests since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last year

by Chloe Greenberg and McKenna Schueler March 29, 2026March 29, 2026

Florida News

Paul Renner wants ‘permanent’ ban on Muslim immigration if elected governor

“Long-term compatibility of Islam in this country does not exist,” Renner said

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix March 25, 2026March 25, 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

‘Incoherent’: DeSantis slams sheriffs’ pushback on deporting undocumented immigrants

DeSantis called the idea of a citizenship path for crime-free undocumented immigrants “incoherent” and ill-advised

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix March 19, 2026March 19, 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

Florida News

Florida sheriffs rebel against Trump and DeSantis mass deportation efforts

It’s a striking shift from law enforcement in the nation’s most aggressive anti-undocumented immigration state

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

Bill allowing Florida to designate domestic terrorist organizations passes in House

Orlando Rep. Rita Harris said the bill places “an extraordinary concentration of power” in the hands of just a few government officials

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix March 4, 2026March 4, 2026

News

Florida planned $645M for waste company Doodie Calls at detention centers

Emergency managers say projected costs at migrant detention centers have since been revised downward

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix March 3, 2026March 3, 2026

News

Timeline of confusion: Cost projections for ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ ‘Deportation Depot’

Nearly 3,000 pages of records show the Florida Division of Emergency Management adjusted calculations several times between June and November

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix March 2, 2026March 2, 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

Join us at Lake Eola Park for Orlando Beer Fest on 11/14. Limited tickets available, buy yours today!

Florida immigration

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

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

Florida has spent $460 million on immigration enforcement in past year

DeSantis addresses reports that ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ may close soon

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

Florida seeks to bar undocumented immigrants from state colleges

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

DeSantis signs bill allowing officials to issue domestic ‘terrorist’ designations

DeSantis signs bill requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote — voting rights group sue

Photos: Everything we saw at Orlando’s third No Kings rally

Paul Renner wants ‘permanent’ ban on Muslim immigration if elected governor

Jerry Demings applauds GOP sheriffs for speaking against federal immigration efforts

‘Incoherent’: DeSantis slams sheriffs’ pushback on deporting undocumented immigrants

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

Florida sheriffs rebel against Trump and DeSantis mass deportation efforts

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

Bill allowing Florida to designate domestic terrorist organizations passes in House

Florida planned $645M for waste company Doodie Calls at detention centers

Timeline of confusion: Cost projections for ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ ‘Deportation Depot’

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