Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has hinted that five Republican-led states are in discussions to construct detention facilities akin to Florida’s infamous “Alligator Alcatraz.” However, she refrained from revealing the identities of these states during her July 12 press conference.
Noem, addressing the media in Tampa, Florida, highlighted her department’s recent efforts to manage the influx of illegal immigrants, including arrests and deportations. Her commendation of the Alligator Alcatraz facility, a temporary detention site, was a focal point of her remarks.
“Several other states are using Alligator Alcatraz as a framework for collaboration with us,” Noem stated. “I’m engaged in ongoing discussions with five governors regarding potential facilities.”
Despite not obtaining permission from these governors to disclose their names publicly, Noem emphasized the necessity of expanding capacity due to existing limitations.
“Our goal is to double the number of detention beds to expedite the expulsion of individuals who do not belong in this country and to maintain operational efficiency,” she asserted.
Earlier this month, Florida unveiled Alligator Alcatraz in Ochopee, located over 50 miles from downtown Miami within the expansive Everglades. This facility, primarily constructed from tents and metal fencing, is designed to temporarily hold up to 3,000 detainees.
Kevin Guthrie, Florida’s emergency management chief, reassured that the facility is built to endure high-end Category 2 hurricane winds. Nevertheless, concerns loom over the potential impact on detainees should a significant hurricane strike, especially after NOAA predicted an “above-normal” hurricane season, including at least three storms likely to reach Category 3 or higher.
Noem noted during the press conference that protocols exist to “sustain any hurricane,” but did not clarify if detainees would be evacuated in the case of a more severe storm.
In response to queries about the conditions within Alligator Alcatraz, Noem dismissed claims of deteriorating conditions, asserting that the facility adheres to the same standards as all federal facilities. “In fact, federal facilities are generally held to higher standards than some state and local jurisdictions,” she argued. “Any issues that arose have been rectified.”
However, after a visit on the same day, several Democratic lawmakers argued that the facility is riddled with pests and suffers from overcrowded, unsanitary conditions. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) described the situation as “disturbing” and insisted that the facility should be closed immediately, labeling it a “stunt” that constitutes abuse of human rights.
Wasserman Schultz claimed that detainees are crammed into cage-like cells with 32 individuals sharing three combined toilet-sink units, and reported temperatures reaching 83 degrees in an entrance and 85 degrees in a medical intake area.
In contrast, Florida state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, a Republican, described the facility as clean and suggested that the air conditioning functioned effectively. “The rhetoric from the Democrats doesn’t match the reality,” he remarked after touring the facility alongside Wasserman Schultz.
Republican state Sen. Jay Collins also refuted claims of “squalor,” while acknowledging that the sanitation facilities were basic. “Would I prefer a nicer toilet-and-sink combo at home? Probably not, but this is a transitional holding facility,” Collins said.
During their tour, lawmakers were instructed to leave phones and cameras behind, and no journalists were permitted to accompany them.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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