Everglades, Florida — A heated dispute has erupted over conditions at a South Florida immigration detention facility nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” after family members of detainees and local advocacy groups staged a rally calling for its closure. Protesters allege that the facility, located deep in the Everglades, subjects detainees to inhumane treatment and inadequate medical care.
At the demonstration Tuesday morning, relatives shared emotional testimonies. One mother likened her son’s experience inside to “a concentration camp,” claiming he has been denied critical medication and has not received proper treatment for an ongoing infection. Organizers accused officials of neglect, poor nutrition, and failure to provide basic living standards.
Governor DeSantis Dismisses Complaints
Speaking in Fort Lauderdale later that day, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis dismissed the allegations, characterizing many of them as exaggerated or unfounded.
“They were mad that the ham sandwiches weren’t toasted. Excuse me?!” DeSantis remarked, using the example to downplay what he sees as trivial grievances.
The governor said he is “confident detainees are being treated appropriately” and stressed that any legitimate legal claims will be handled by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). He also accused political opponents and left-wing groups of staging complaints for media attention.“It’s odd that they’re going in there,” DeSantis said. “You have these representatives… they’re just trying to get some notoriety, so they are making these claims.”
DeSantis promised to personally visit the facility to inspect conditions and emphasized that detainees have access to recreation, legal services, and food comparable to what staff receive. “It’s not a prison; it’s a deportation processing center,” he said. “Everyone’s the same there.”
State Officials Join in the Pushback
Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of Florida’s Division of Emergency Management, also criticized the outrage, calling it “manufactured” and politically motivated. Appearing on Jesse Watters Primetime, Guthrie said that during a recent bipartisan tour, some of the more than 60 visiting lawmakers seemed more interested in creating dramatic moments than assessing the facility.
“Some came to act, not observe,” Guthrie stated, adding that DHS has established clear operational standards that the center meets.
Facility Remains Under the Spotlight
The “Alligator Alcatraz” nickname has fueled public curiosity about the remote facility, which processes individuals for deportation rather than holding long-term prisoners. While critics point to health care concerns and the psychological toll of detention, state leaders insist that all required services — from nutrition to recreation — are being provided.
With both sides entrenched, calls for independent inspections are growing louder, and the facility is expected to face further scrutiny in the weeks ahead.