A recent report reveals that over 1,000 detainees at Florida’s Alligator Alcatraz, a state-run immigrant internment camp, are unaccounted for, raising concerns about their whereabouts. The Miami Herald found two-thirds of detainees from July rosters were untraceable, with many not listed on the ICE Online Detainee Locator System and others having no location information. Immigrant rights groups are accusing the state of “administratively disappearing” detainees, as families and attorneys struggle to locate them, and some are even being deported before scheduled hearings. This has led to accusations that the camp is operating as an “extrajudicial black site,” exacerbating already troubling conditions within the facility.
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Rumors circulated online in September 2025, alleging that two-thirds of detainees were missing from the Florida migrant detention center “Alligator Alcatraz.” These rumors stemmed from Miami Herald investigations using detainee rosters, which found the whereabouts of many detainees were unknown as of the end of August. While the Herald did not independently verify the missing persons, they did use the lists to determine that 800 detainees showed no record in the online database for ICE, and over 450 had no location listed. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security denied the claims. However, there were documented instances of detainees being deported or moved without their families’ or attorneys’ knowledge, suggesting that some detainees may have been missing, even if not reflected in official databases.
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A recent ICE inspection of the Fort Bliss migrant detention center, Camp East Montana, revealed 60 violations in just 50 days of operation. The report detailed failures in medical care, safety protocols, and access to legal resources for detainees. The facility, intended to expand to hold thousands of migrants, is managed by Acquisition Logistics LLC. Despite the findings, ICE has not commented on the violations or the current number of detainees being held.
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A large migrant detention facility, known as Camp East Montana and nicknamed the “Lone Star Lockup” by Senator John Cornyn, is nearing completion at Fort Bliss and could begin full operations soon. The facility, built by a private contractor, will hold up to 1,000 single adult detainees with pending deportation orders who have exhausted all legal appeals, according to Senator Cornyn. This detention center is part of a larger congressional package funding immigration facilities nationwide, with ICE already accepting a limited number of detainees. Senator Cornyn anticipates returning to the facility once it is fully operational, emphasizing the need for more detention centers to house migrants.
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The Trump administration has established a large immigrant detention center at Fort Bliss, a site with a history of housing detainees, including during World War II, sparking strong criticism. This facility, projected to hold thousands, is seen by critics as a move to militarize immigration enforcement and fast-track deportations, reminiscent of the controversial “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center. Parallels have been drawn between the current situation and the historical internment of Japanese Americans, raising concerns about potential human rights violations and echoes of past injustices. The ACLU, among others, has condemned the camp, citing it as a “dangerous expansion of militarized immigration enforcement,” while the Department of Homeland Security has pushed back against these comparisons.
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According to a new report, Florida officials diverted resources intended for disaster preparedness and response to construct the Alligator Alcatraz migrant detention jail under the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis. Many of the $20 million in contracts analyzed by TPM were awarded to DeSantis donors or political allies, and the contracts themselves mysteriously disappeared from the Florida Department of Financial Services website. This alleged misappropriation of funds has drawn strong criticism from Democrats, especially as the peak of hurricane season approaches. Furthermore, it was revealed that a 15-year-old was detained at the jail, despite prior claims of housing only adults, adding fuel to the controversy surrounding the facility.
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Detainees at the Florida migrant center, known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” are reporting deplorable conditions, including lack of bathing water, maggot-infested food, and constant lighting. Detainees, including a Cuban reggaeton artist, claim their human rights are not being respected, with some on the brink of mental collapse and denied religious materials and medication. Florida lawmakers were blocked from entering the facility after attempting to investigate reports of flooding and alleged human rights violations, citing “security concerns” as the reason for non-admittance. The facility, a joint effort between federal and state governments, houses up to 5,000 detainees for processing and deportation.
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The El Salvador government has directly contradicted the Trump administration’s stance on responsibility for deported migrants held in its prisons. While the Trump administration has claimed it has no power to bring back the deportees, El Salvador has stated that the U.S. holds the “legal responsibility” for the individuals. These statements were made in response to a U.N. inquiry concerning the disappearance of a relative within the Salvadoran prison system. The article also highlights that many of those deported, accused of gang affiliation, may have no connection to the gangs, raising questions about the legality and treatment of these individuals.
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A recent post by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has come under fire, as it “brags” about utilizing FEMA funds to construct a migrant detention facility dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” especially amid deadly flash floods in Texas. This facility, with an estimated cost of $450 million annually, is set to cost taxpayers $250 per bed per day, surpassing the DHS threshold. The decision to redirect emergency funds has sparked intense criticism, particularly as Texas counties affected by the floods struggle with underfunding and inadequate resources. Social media users have widely condemned Noem’s actions, accusing her of prioritizing political theater over genuine emergency relief efforts.
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A leaked operational plan indicates that Florida’s controversial Everglades detention center, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” could potentially house immigrant children and pregnant women. The undated document outlines protocols for separating minors and providing them with essential provisions during transport. Democratic lawmakers expressed outrage and were denied access to the facility, criticizing the plan as inhumane and politically motivated. The new facility, already facing environmental and safety concerns, is awaiting final decisions from federal agencies regarding its detainees.
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John Q. Hosedrinker