First Deportation Flights Depart From Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

The first deportation flights from Florida’s new immigration detention center in the Everglades began departing this week, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Friday, about three weeks after detainees started to arrive at what appears to be the nation’s only state-run migrant detention facility.

The governor did not immediately provide specific details at a news conference, saying only that “a number” of flights carrying “hundreds” of federal immigration detainees have departed the state-run detention center, which Florida officials have named “Alligator Alcatraz.” He said the flights were operated by the Department of Homeland Security, but not where they went after they departed the Everglades.

The facility, which immigration experts have describe as the only one of its kind, is essentially a cluster of hastily erected tents and trailers on an old airfield. Mr. DeSantis said it has been equipped with ground-to-air communications, radar and runway lighting. There are 5,000 gallons of jet fuel on site, he added.

“This airport is able to accept commercial flight aircraft and conduct both day and nighttime operations,” he said.

Environmental groups have sued to halt construction of the detention center, which is surrounded by protected lands. Kevin Guthrie, head of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, was dismissive about environmental concerns at the news conference. He claimed that the facility, an old training airport, used to have “over a hundred flights a day,” a detail that it was not possible to immediately confirm.

The state is using the old airfield, which belongs to Miami-Dade County, under emergency powers. On Friday, the county’s mayor, Daniella Levine Cava, renewed her request to state officials brief county officials on the detention center and provide them with access to conduct oversight.