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Trump's 'Alligator Alcatraz' being emptied of immigrant detainees

August 28, 2025

The population at Donald Trump's controversial immigrant detention center "Alligator Alcatraz" has decreased by half following a federal judge's order to close the facility and relocate all detainees within 60 days. The Florida Everglades detention center, which opened in July to support the administration's mass deportation efforts, faced legal challenges over alleged poor conditions and environmental concerns. White House officials expressed disagreement with the judge's decision but confirmed they would comply with court orders while continuing to fight legally.

Who is affected

  • Immigrants detained at "Alligator Alcatraz" facility
  • Border and immigration enforcement officials
  • The Florida Everglades ecosystem (a UNESCO world heritage site)
  • U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
  • Florida Division of Emergency Management

What action is being taken

  • The number of detainees at "Alligator Alcatraz" has been reduced by half since the judge's ruling
  • Detainees are being relocated from the facility
  • The Trump administration is complying with the court order while planning to "fight in the court of law"
  • Other temporary detention facilities are being built in Republican-led states
  • The administration is planning to build more permanent "brick-and-mortar" detention facilities

Why it matters

  • The judge's decision represents a significant obstacle to the Trump administration's mass deportation initiative
  • The case highlights tensions between immigration enforcement priorities and environmental protection
  • The Florida Everglades detention center has become a focal point for legal challenges to the administration's immigration policies
  • Despite the setback at "Alligator Alcatraz," the administration's broader detention and deportation infrastructure continues to expand
  • The $45 billion budget allocation could fund approximately 116,000 new detention beds

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC

Trump's 'Alligator Alcatraz' being emptied of immigrant detainees