A.G. Gancarski
U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar says a visit to “Alligator Alcatraz” showed her that the facility “met the highest standards” of federal lockups.
But she added that the people running the Everglades-adjacent illegal immigrant internment facility — which could serve as a prototype for other such lockups around the country — erred in not letting inmates tell legislators they were being treated well.
Salazar, a South Florida Republican, toured the ad-hoc prison at a training airport, which she visited with other federal and state legislators Saturday on a guided tour from the Gov. Ron DeSantis administration.
She argued that it was a “mistake from the authorities” to not allow legislators to talk to inmates, given that they told her they were being treated reasonably well.
“I was able to shout in Spanish. There were like around 40 of them in shackles, and I tried to talk to them,” Salazar said on “Fox & Friends.”
“I asked them, ‘How are they treating you?’ And one of them said, pretty good. The other one said, ah, not so bad. But I really wanted to engage. They did not let me.”
Amenities abounded, the legislator argued.
“I did go in one of those cages. And of course, no one likes to be inside a cage, but I want to tell you that the cages were clean. I sat in one of the beds. They were soft. They had three metal toilets with like a little wall to cover people when they’re doing their business. They had two telephones where they can call their attorneys or their loved ones,” Salazar related.
“Then they took us to another recreational area, also caged in. No one likes to be in a cage, of course, with … some grass where they could run or do some exercise. There was another area where there were Bibles in Spanish … other types of religious material, and another area where they can be sitting with their attorneys.”
Salazar’s take diverges from the read of Democratic state Sen. Shevrin Jones, who described the facility as “deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable.”
“We were technically shown the holding cages — but let’s be clear, we were not allowed to conduct real oversight. Contracted guards blocked our entry, only allowing us to peek in as the men inside chanted ‘¡Libertad, libertad!’ This was not transparency. This was a performance. There was no access to medical tents,” said Jones, who also is from South Florida.
Even as the DeSantis administration is planning a second internment facility in Northeast Florida at Camp Blanding, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said five other states may set up their own equivalents.
That’s driven in part by the likelihood of federal reimbursement for the spend through the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency Shelter and Service funds. Florida expects its $450 million investment, which has been a boon for connected contractors, to be paid back at some point. Presumably the same model applies for other franchisees of the concept.
10 comments
Not American Values
July 15, 2025 at 9:23 am
Detention of easy-pickings menial workers whose only “crime”’was crossing the border and taking a job no citizen wants is never a pretty sight, no matter how “clean” the cages(!) are.
Not American Values
July 15, 2025 at 9:23 am
Detention of easy-pickings menial workers whose only “crime”’was crossing the border and taking a job no citizen wants is never a pretty sight, no matter how “clean” the cages(!) are.
Michael K
July 15, 2025 at 9:32 am
I’d like to know which DeSantis donors are profiteering from building this “encampment” – and how it is possible that this nation is allowing masked, unmarked, armed (and presumably) ICE agents to round up and imprison people without due process. I would also like to know why journalists are not allowed to visit, observe, and speak to people.
I’d also like an explanation: Trump promised that only “violent thugs” would be rounded up. Who, exactly, are these human beings in cages?
Pinellas Pete
July 15, 2025 at 9:51 am
How about the Democrat and Joe Biden supporters that profited from the millions that crossed the Southern Border. Facilities, food, medicine, transportation. Who had that concession?
ScienceBLVR
July 15, 2025 at 9:37 am
A guided tour? Give me a break..
Inscription on the gates at Alligator Alcatraz:
“Abandon hope all ye who enter here” – Dante
Ron Ogden
July 15, 2025 at 9:42 am
Why do these Democrats not visit the many prisons throughout Florida that hold prisoners who are not political fodder for them and their media sycophants? Yes, these people are criminals. They violated America’s immigration laws and that makes them felons prima facie. And I trust the immigration authorities that a great majority of them have committed other, major crimes.
Pinellas Pete
July 15, 2025 at 9:51 am
Ron Ogden making sense here among the liberal lunatics.
TC
July 15, 2025 at 10:07 am
Ron and PP doing their “what about” and “how about” routines. You two would have fit in well back in 1930’s Germany.
Pinellas Pete
July 15, 2025 at 11:04 am
TC. Ask fellow liberal Hank Johnson (Dem GA) this question. If we allow everyone around the world that wants to move to this country, which would be most people, would the earth continue to rotate on its axis or would it stop since this side of earth would be overweighted?
BorninFlorida
July 15, 2025 at 11:11 am
One thing this article fails to mention is that these “cages” are in air-conditioned tents…they are both cool and comfortable. From people I know living nearby, they have said that supply trucks run in & out nearly every single day, so what I read about maggoty food I do NOT believe. (For the record, I am a lifetime resident of South Florida)
Another story stated it was an abhorrence to have a sink/toilet built in together…but apparently THAT woman has never been to jail or prison before as most are built the exact same way.
This is a detention camp. They entered this country ILLEGALLY and are being held until they can be relocated out of our country.
There have been detention camps for illegals since the 1800’s, so WHY NOW is this only becoming an issue???
Because now ICE is involved? President Trump didn’t create ICE, George W did…in 2003. Trump is just using them to do what they were created to do.
What do people want? Waldorf-Astoria? WHEREVER these detainees are held, someone will have an issue…it’s the way our world works.