The Florida-run immigration detention facility in the Everglades, known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” is likely to be empty within days, according to an email exchange shared with the Associated Press. This development comes despite legal battles surrounding the facility’s closure, ordered by a federal judge. The state, alongside the federal government, is fighting the order, citing a need for the facility’s capacity, while environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe dispute this argument and claim the facility is harmful to the sensitive Everglades. Detainees at the facility have reportedly experienced poor conditions, which is another argument for the closure of the facility.
Read More
A federal judge has ruled to shut down the Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention center within 60 days, prohibiting the intake of new detainees. The judge cited environmental concerns and ordered the removal of infrastructure that transformed the airstrip into a detention center, ultimately rendering the site uninhabitable. This decision comes in response to a lawsuit filed by environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe who claimed the facility could cause irreparable harm to the Everglades. The state has filed a notice to appeal the ruling.
Read More
Jemmy Jimenez Rosa, a Canton mother and legal U.S. resident, was released on Wednesday after being detained at Logan Airport. She was held for several days after being detained while returning from a family vacation, and was transported to Maine before being returned to Massachusetts. According to her family, she suffers from medical conditions and was initially denied access to her medication and other necessities. Her attorney successfully argued to have her criminal record wiped clean, leading to her release.
Read More
Nebraska announced plans for a new immigration detention center, “Cornhusker Clink,” located in McCook, a remote city in the state’s southwest corner. The facility, intended to house individuals awaiting deportation, will be a Midwest hub for detainees, accommodating up to 300 people. Governor Jim Pillen also revealed the Nebraska National Guard and State Patrol would provide support to federal immigration agents. This initiative aligns with the Trump administration’s expansion of detention facilities, with similar centers opening or planned in Florida, Indiana, and Tennessee. The Nebraska plan has already raised concerns among state senators and residents.
Read More
A federal judge has ordered ICE to improve conditions at the 26 Federal Plaza facility in New York City. The order follows reports of overcrowding, inadequate food, and unsanitary conditions within the holding areas. The court mandates limiting capacity, ensuring cleanliness with frequent cell cleanings, and providing essential hygiene products and sleeping mats. These improvements were prompted by a complaint from lawyers, citing “crowded, squalid, and punitive conditions,” and specific testimonies of detainees detailing the facility’s deplorable state. The government’s response acknowledged the need for humane conditions, with the court order seeking to ensure access to legal representation through confidential phone calls.
Read More
An attorney representing an infected detainee reports a widespread respiratory illness outbreak, potentially COVID-19, at the “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration jail in Florida. Detainees are reportedly experiencing severe symptoms, including difficulty breathing, while access to masks and proper hygiene is limited. The attorney’s client, who was initially removed for medical care, was then secretly transferred to a Texas facility and has since had his personal belongings confiscated, and he has lost contact with his attorney. The incident has raised concerns about unsanitary conditions within the camp.
Read More
A new Senate report has uncovered 510 credible allegations of human rights abuses within U.S. immigration detention centers, including 14 cases of mistreatment of pregnant women. The investigation, spearheaded by Senator Jon Ossoff, revealed serious issues such as inadequate medical care, poor living conditions, and delayed treatment, specifically highlighting instances where pregnant women were denied urgent care and proper nutrition. The report documents a range of distressing incidents, including a case where a woman was left unattended after a miscarriage, underscoring the severity of the reported abuses. Despite these findings, a Department of Homeland Security official maintains that all detainees receive proper medical care and screenings.
Read More
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is offering a new grant for detentions, which appears to be a continuation of a previously terminated program. This funding opportunity comes as the Trump administration seeks state assistance with mass deportation policies, with states like Florida, under Governor Ron DeSantis, already establishing detention facilities. Critics have raised concerns about the conditions and environmental impact of these facilities, such as the one nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz”, which is set to cost around $450 million to operate. This shift in FEMA’s focus comes alongside discussions of downsizing the agency and transferring its responsibilities to individual states.
Read More
An investigation by the Miami Herald reveals that hundreds of immigrants without criminal charges are being held at Alligator Alcatraz, a Florida detention facility. These individuals, listed as having only immigration violations, are mixed with detainees who have criminal convictions or pending charges. While officials claim the facility houses dangerous individuals, the records show that a significant portion of the detainees lack criminal records in the United States. This data raises concerns about the scope of immigration enforcement efforts in Florida and the criteria for detention at the facility.
Read More
The Everglades immigration detention center, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” is facing criticism for its poor conditions, as detainees report unsanitary living situations with worms in food and malfunctioning sanitation. Detainees also claim restricted access to medical care and communication with the outside world. While officials dispute these claims, reports from attorneys and families detail instances of denied due process, lack of access to lawyers, and the confinement of individuals with no criminal records. These conditions contrast sharply with the government’s portrayal of the facility as a model for immigration detention.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker