Advocates Demand Closure of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’, Citing Appalling Conditions
July 22, 2025 | Source: The Guardian | by José Olivares
Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, confirmed that 14 Mexican citizens are held at the controversial “Alligator Alcatraz” jail in Florida, as local organizations and doctors call for the facility’s shuttering.
On Tuesday, a number of non-profit organizations held a press conference demanding the closure of the facility based in the rural Everglades region almost 40 miles (64km) from Miami, run by the state of Florida, to detain immigrants. According to advocates, the 39-acre camp now holds more than 1,000 men in “flood-prone” tents.
“All arrangements are being made to ensure they are repatriated immediately to Mexico,” Sheinbaum said during her morning news conference.
The facility’s conditions are reportedly appalling, advocates say, with detained immigrants sleeping in overcrowded pods, along with sewage backups “resulting in cages flooded with feces”, and, in addition, “denial of medical care”.
Sheinbaum said in an unrelated press conference that 14 of the people detained are confirmed Mexican nationals and she is seeking their repatriation.