Summary
A Florida official said the immigration detention center called "Alligator Alcatraz" in the Everglades might be empty soon as it faces a court order to close. The facility, built to hold up to 3,000 people, was challenged in court for environmental concerns and its operations. The state government appealed the closure, but environmental groups want it to shut down.
Key Facts
- "Alligator Alcatraz" is an immigration detention center in the Everglades, Florida.
- The center was originally designed to hold up to 3,000 detainees.
- The facility currently has only 300 to 350 detainees, down from almost 1,000.
- A federal judge ordered the facility to close, with the last detainee out within 60 days.
- The state of Florida appealed the closure order.
- Environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe filed a lawsuit because of environmental concerns.
- The center is located in environmentally sensitive wetlands.
- Florida plans to open another immigration detention facility called "Deportation Depot."
