The Take ‘Alligator Alcatraz’: where are the missing detainees?
Sep 29, 2025
Thomas Kennedy, a policy analyst with the Florida Immigrant Coalition, sheds light on Florida's notorious Alligator Alcatraz detention center. He discusses the alarming number of migrants who have disappeared from records, complicating family connections and legal representation. Kennedy reveals the disturbing conditions inside, including starvation, unsanitary environments, and allegations of abuse. He also critiques the political motivations behind operating such facilities, highlighting a troubling trend in state-run detention practices.
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Makeshift Detention In Environmentally Sensitive Area
- Alligator Alcatraz is a makeshift detention camp on a semi-abandoned runway in Big Cypress Natural Preserve lacking basic infrastructure.
- Tomas Kennedy says the site runs on generators, tents, and brought-in water, making it unsuitable for large-scale detention.
Detainee Claims Contradict Official Narrative
- Florida officials claim detainees are criminals with final removal orders, but that claim is false according to Tomas Kennedy.
- The facility has held DACA recipients, minors, tourists, and people without removal orders.
Administrative Disappearances From Public Records
- Around 800 of 1,800 detainees were missing from ICE's public database because the site is state-run and not integrated with federal systems.
- Kennedy calls this an administrative disappearance that hinders bond hearings and legal access.