As more detainees arrive at the controversial detention center in the Everglades, NBC6 learned new information about who else may end up at the facility politicians call “Alligator Alcatraz.”
In a 37-page state document named “Immigration Enforcement Operations Plan,” a subsection titled “Time Limits and Restrictions” said “an unaccompanied minor (under 18), persons over 70, females with children, and family groups will not be placed in hold rooms.”
The document, in another instance, said “juveniles, babies, pregnant women, and others for whom it is medically necessary shall have regular access to snacks, milk, juice, etc.”
The document contradicts what President Donald Trump said in his earlier visit to the migrant detention center, which was built on an old airport runway 40 minutes west of the Miccosukee Casino in southwest Miami-Dade.
“Very soon, this facility will house some of the most menacing migrants, some of the most vicious people on the planet,” Trump said during his visit Tuesday.
State Democratic lawmakers on Thursday tried to get inside the facility, but were told they could not go inside because of security concerns.
Five Democratic state lawmakers tried to visit “Alligator Alcatraz” Thursday, but they were denied access. NBC6’s Hatzel Vela reports
The lawmakers argue Florida allows their visit and question the state’s transparency.
“When you have hundreds of millions of public dollars being spent on a political stunt, we have the ability to see for our own eyes what is happening, and to be the voices of our constituents. This process has occurred with no transparency whatsoever, with Gov. Ron DeSantis handing out contracts to his friends to build what is essentially a concentration camp,” said State Rep. Anna Eskamani, who represents District 42 in Orlando.
Through court documents, NBC6 also learned the Department of Homeland Security has not authorized or funded the detention center, and the state has not applied for federal funds despite the governor repeatedly saying the state will be reimbursed.
Jobs for the site have already been listed.
This website, run by GardaWorld Federal Services, lists several positions for Ochopee, Florida, the location of the facility.
One of the jobs listed, for example, is that of a custodial officer, which pays almost $100,000. The officer would be required to live on site with meals and flights provided.
We reached out GardaWorld for comment, but never heard back. After reaching out, the location of the jobs changed from Ochopee, Florida, as the location to Southern Central Florida.
Throughout the week – despite rain, heat, humidity and the onslaught of mosquitoes – protesters have stood outside the facility, citing concerns for surrounding protected wetlands and animals in the Everglades.
NBC6 political analyst Alex Penelas weighed in on the possible political fallout from the detention center.
“I don’t think Alligator Alcatraz by itself will cause a major political problem, certainly not for the governor,” Penelas said.
Penelas added that Trump and DeSantis’ immigration policies remain popular in the state and across the country.
But Penelas points out the compilation of immigration policies – like “Alligator Alcatraz” and the effects of the recently passed “Big Beautiful Bill” – could end up having an impact on the midterm elections.
“That could flip five, six, seven congressional districts in other parts of the country,” he said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
