Democrats call for closure of controversial ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

Alligator alcatraz democratic event AP photos (2)
'They're abusing human beings here.'

Democrats have complaints about Gov. Ron DeSantis internment camp for illegal immigrants: “Alligator Alcatraz,” the training airport on the edge of the Everglades that in recent weeks has become a staging ground for deportations from the Donald Trump administration.

“This place needs to be shut the hell down,” said U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz Saturday. “They’re abusing human beings here.”

Democrats wanted to visit the facility Saturday, but instead they were faced with a guided tour. But despite the curation, Wasserman Schultz said she heard people “screaming,” including a man who claimed to be “poisoned by Clorox in the water.”

“32 detainees per cage. That is the only thing inside those cages are the bunk. They are bunk beds, and there are three tiny toilets that are toilet units that have a sink attached to it. So they essentially drink, they get their drinking water and they brush their teeth, where they poop in the same unit,” she said.

Sen. Shevrin Jones said people with “traffic infractions” were inside, disputing that the “worst of the worst” were in there, and that his “colleagues” were “taking this as a game,” noting it was 83 degrees in there.

State Rep. Anna V. Eskamani suggested the state cleaned up the facility ahead of the lawmakers’ visit.

“They allowed them to take a shower and gave them new clothes, and the food, all of a sudden it is better,” she said. “This is a show.”

U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz said in case of a hurricane, detainees would be evacuated to the facility they came from previously.

U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost said his colleagues might have an ad hoc hearing and a tour of the facility, which he said was “dehumanizing” people.

“I saw young men who looked like me. I saw myself in those cages,” Frost said.

Republicans see it differently.

Sen. Blaise Ingoglia said there were no issues.

“Just finished my walkthrough of Alligator Alcatraz. Here’s what I saw: The rhetoric coming from Democrats does not match the reality. The place is well run, safe, secure, clean and air conditioned. We reviewed the intake area, medical tent, mess hall, recreation areas and sleeping quarters. I actually laid down in one of the beds and it was really comfortable. So, any complaints about squalor conditions is nothing more than bullsh*t and political theater,” said the Spring Hill Republican who is being considered as the appointed Chief Financial Officer.

A.G. Gancarski

A.G. Gancarski has been the Northeast Florida correspondent for Florida Politics since 2014. His work also can be seen in the Washington Post, the New York Post, the Washington Times, and National Review, among other publications. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter: @AGGancarski


11 comments

  • Ocean Joe

    July 12, 2025 at 3:40 pm

    Debbie kept her same outfit from the protests at the Homestead facility during Trump’s last term. Most of the other Dems there were later voted out of office. Debbie remains in her safe space of District 25. There is no chance she will ever be Governor or US Senator.

    Reply

    • Mac Wiseman

      July 12, 2025 at 8:05 pm

      Sadly for the Democratic Party they have lost their voice with the loss of the Black and Hispanic block of votes they used to rely upon.
      Times were when the Democrats could deamonize a White Guy, a White Hispanic, and burn down a few cities which would turn the tide of the upcoming election just enough so the Dems would get the 2 or 3 percent of undecideds they needed to win.
      Those times are over with the Democrats having lost the Black and Hispanic vote in very significant numbers thus nullifying the Democrats old tricks.
      The current reality I described above really leaves the Democrats dead in the water as far as any hope of forward momentium.
      American voters already know in their hearts the Democrats, thru pure stupidity have regulated themselves to the dreamer status of a fringe party such as the Libratarians.
      Thanks for reading my synopsis of what to expect in the upcoming 2028 Presidential Election victory of Ron Desantis.
      Mac Wiseman

      Reply

    • Mac Wiseman

      July 12, 2025 at 8:05 pm

      Sadly for the Democratic Party they have lost their voice with the loss of the Black and Hispanic block of votes they used to rely upon.
      Times were when the Democrats could deamonize a White Guy, a White Hispanic, and burn down a few cities which would turn the tide of the upcoming election just enough so the Dems would get the 2 or 3 percent of undecideds they needed to win.
      Those times are over with the Democrats having lost the Black and Hispanic vote in very significant numbers thus nullifying the Democrats old tricks.
      The current reality I described above really leaves the Democrats dead in the water as far as any hope of forward momentium.
      American voters already know in their hearts the Democrats, thru pure stupidity have regulated themselves to the dreamer status of a fringe party such as the Libratarians.
      Thanks for reading my synopsis of what to expect in the upcoming 2028 Presidential Election victory of Ron Desantis.
      Mac Wiseman

      Reply

  • MarvinM

    July 12, 2025 at 5:15 pm

    The place should be shut down now. Any detainees should be moved somewhere else.
    They have no plans apparently to evacuate persons unless it’s a Cat 3 hurricane. That’s insane. There is no shelter there for anyone, including staff.
    It’s a boondoggle. The sooner DeSantis shuts it down, the less it will cost Floridians.
    Oh, he still thinks the federal government is going to reimburse the state for the cost? We’ll see if that happens.

    Reply

  • Michael K

    July 12, 2025 at 5:21 pm

    A concentration camp by any other name and in any other place in the world would have faced condemnation by the US, when America was America.

    Of course it should be shut down.

    Reply

    • Ocean Joe

      July 12, 2025 at 5:46 pm

      It’s not a concentration camp you drama queen. Were you out there with Eskamani and the other good balls today? Are they going to tour the county and state jails next? Publicity stunt.

      Reply

  • Frankie M.

    July 12, 2025 at 6:50 pm

    Sounds like Imbrogila got the cook’s tour. His tune would change if he had to spend a couple of days in there. Blase being all blase.

    Reply

  • Frankie M.

    July 12, 2025 at 6:50 pm

    Sounds like Imbrogila got the cook’s tour. His tune would change if he had to spend a couple of days in there. Blase being all blase.

    Reply

    • Ocean Joe

      July 12, 2025 at 7:27 pm

      We got it the first time.

      Reply

  • Ocean Joe

    July 12, 2025 at 7:34 pm

    I challenge Wasserman-Schultz to go to her hometown city council and present a plan to build an illegal alien facility in her town, Weston. Lots of sports fields out there that can be converted. She is nothing but a bag of hot air.

    Reply

    • ScienceBLVR

      July 12, 2025 at 8:55 pm

      Oh No, Mr. Bill, whatever has come over Ocean Joe? I think this poster is an imposter! OJ used to be a voice of reason – something has turned rotten in Denmark..

      Reply

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