Advocates and Families Demand Closure of Florida Detention Center Over Alleged Abuse

On Tuesday morning, families of detainees and local advocacy organizations gathered outside a South Florida immigration facility nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz” to demand its immediate shutdown. The protest, held in the Everglades, brought together individuals concerned about what they describe as inhumane and degrading conditions within the center.

Several family members of those held inside spoke emotionally at the event. One mother compared her son’s experience in the facility to that of being in a concentration camp. She alleged that he had been denied access to essential medications and was suffering from a severe infection that had not been properly treated.

The facility, which serves as a federal immigration detention and deportation processing center, has come under increasing scrutiny in recent months. Advocacy groups claim the conditions inside violate basic human rights, with some likening it to a prison-like atmosphere despite it not being categorized as one.

DeSantis Responds to Criticism
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis responded swiftly to the allegations during a press event in Fort Lauderdale later that day. He downplayed the complaints made by detainees and their families, calling many of them exaggerated or simply false.

“Some were upset the ham sandwiches weren’t toasted. Excuse me? That’s not what we’re here to talk about,” DeSantis remarked sarcastically. “This is a deportation processing center. It’s not a resort, and it’s certainly not a prison. These facilities are run according to federal guidelines.”

DeSantis insisted that all required standards were being met and that he plans to personally visit the site to assess conditions firsthand. He also criticized Democratic lawmakers and progressive groups for what he described as a publicity stunt designed to create drama where none exists.

Political Drama or Legitimate Oversight?

More than 60 lawmakers have recently visited the facility in what was described as a bipartisan tour. However, state officials claim some of those visits were more theatrical than observational.

Kevin Guthrie, the Director of Florida’s Division of Emergency Management, called out what he referred to as staged outrage. Appearing on a national news program, Guthrie detailed an incident where one lawmaker allegedly used an infrared thermometer on a light bulb and claimed the room was over 100 degrees.

“We had to explain to them that you can’t measure air temperature by pointing a thermometer at a light bulb,” Guthrie said. “We’re happy to provide access, but let’s be honest and accurate about what’s actually happening inside.”

Controversies Over Conditions
Critics of the facility have raised numerous concerns, from inadequate medical care to questionable food quality. Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz reportedly criticized a turkey sandwich served at the facility, describing it as “gray” without even unwrapping it.

“That one made me laugh,” Guthrie said. “She was at least six feet away from the box, and the sandwich was sealed. I don’t know how she could see the color. It’s basic institutional food — not gourmet dining, but it meets nutritional standards.”

Democrats have also voiced concerns about the bathroom facilities. They argue that the toilet-sink combo units in shared cells are unsanitary and degrading. Guthrie pushed back, saying that such setups are standard in secure facilities across the country.

“This isn’t unique. This is what secure detention facilities look like. There’s a toilet, a sink, running water. It meets — and often exceeds — required specifications,” he said.

Legal Challenges Mount
The controversy took a legal turn earlier this month when five Democratic state legislators filed a lawsuit against Governor DeSantis, alleging they were illegally denied full access to the facility. They argue that this restriction violates their constitutional role to provide oversight and accountability for state operations.

The governor’s office has defended the decision, stating that security protocols and federal coordination sometimes limit who can enter and when. DeSantis also emphasized that the facility operates under federal jurisdiction, not state control.

A Deepening Divide

This latest controversy underscores the deep political and ideological divide in Florida and across the nation regarding immigration enforcement, detainee rights, and government transparency. While advocates and families push for humanitarian reforms and greater accountability, Republican leaders argue that the current focus on facility conditions is being weaponized for political gain.

Despite the backlash, the facility remains operational, and its future remains uncertain. As both sides continue to clash over the facts and the optics, one thing is clear: the debate over immigration enforcement in Florida is far from over.