TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Last summer, a symbol of President Donald Trump’s campaign against illegal immigration quickly appeared amid the vast Florida Everglades. Less than a year later, the detention facility dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” was torn down almost as hastily as it was built.
But what began as an attention-grabbing effort to bolster Trump’s immigration agenda has left in its wake still-unresolved litigation, ongoing questions about sky-high costs and potential environmental impact, and uncertainty over what will happen to the property Florida commandeered from Miami-Dade County now that the facility is closed.
When the facility opened, the Republican Party of Florida sold themed merchandise — which can still be bought today — while Trump joked that detainees would have to learn to dodge alligators if they tried to escape. Those who championed the idea, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, contend it was a success that aligned with White House needs and led to the removal of almost 21,000 people from the country.
“I have no doubt that when you start talking about 21,000 folks that without question has made our state safer and it’s made the country safer as well,” DeSantis said last month while announcing the closure of the detention center.
