OCHOPEE, FLORIDA — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said Thursday that the immigration detention center known as “ Alcatraz crocodile “It was always meant to be temporary.
His comments came on the same day that The New York Times reported that state and federal officials were in early talks about closing the facility in the Florida Everglades that DeSantis said has since processed and deported 22,000 detainees. It opened last summer.
“At some point, of course, we’re going to break it. That was always the goal,” the Republican governor said at a news conference in Lakeland.
If DHS feels it has the resources to house detainees elsewhere, the facility will be closed, DeSantis said.
DHS officials have not announced they want to close the facility, although the idea has been discussed since the department got a new secretary. Markwayne Mullen“You’re taking a fresh look at these things,” the governor added in late March.
Detainees at the facility described poor physical conditions Difficulty in accessing lawyers.
The Department of Homeland Security denied Thursday that it was urging Florida to halt operations at the facility.
“Florida continues to be a valuable partner in advancing President Trump’s immigration agenda, and DHS appreciates their support,” the department said in a statement. “DHS continually evaluates detention needs and requirements to ensure they meet the latest operational requirements.”
Florida has spent more than $1 million a day to operate the facility, and DeSantis said he expects reimbursement from the federal government. The state has not yet received the $608 million it requested.
Detainees are separated based on criminal histories and whether they are considered a flight risk, according to a handbook published as part of a lawsuit over whether detainees have proper access to attorneys. She says that during regular head counts, detainees are not allowed to move or speak. If they do, they can be punished, along with everyone in their residence, by being confined to their housing unit.