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Nearly 3 Dozen 911 Calls from Alligator Alcatraz

Posted on by The Notorious FDE

Nearly 3 Dozen 911 Calls from Alligator Alcatraz: What’s Happening at Florida’s Controversial Detention Center?

Since its opening on July 1, 2025, the state-run immigrant detention center in the Florida Everglades, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” has generated significant concern due to nearly three dozen 911 calls made from the facility. Located at the remote Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, this makeshift detention center has sparked debates over its conditions, transparency, and purpose. Here’s an in-depth look at the 911 calls, the facility’s conditions, and the broader implications for immigration policy.

A Surge of 911 Calls: What Do the Records Show?

According to records obtained by NBC 6 South Florida, 34 emergency 911 calls have been made from Alligator Alcatraz since its opening, averaging about two calls per day. The breakdown of these calls includes:

  • 11 calls categorized as “unknown problem,” indicating vague or unspecified issues.

  • 4 calls labeled as “special contract calls.”

  • 4 calls requesting “legal advice.”

  • 2 calls related to medical emergencies.

The high number of calls, particularly those for unspecified reasons, raises questions about the conditions inside the facility and the well-being of its detainees. Social media posts on X have highlighted public skepticism, with some questioning how detainees have access to cell phones to make such calls, suggesting potential oversight gaps.

Harsh Conditions at Alligator Alcatraz

Alligator Alcatraz, constructed in just eight days on a former airstrip 45 miles west of Miami, consists of tents and trailers surrounded by razor wire and over 200 security cameras. Detainees have reported severe conditions, including:

  • Lack of basic amenities: Leamsy Izquierdo, a Cuban artist detained at the facility, described no access to showers for days, food with worms, and constant lighting that disrupts sleep.

  • Environmental challenges: The Everglades’ swampy, mosquito-heavy environment exacerbates discomfort, with reports of leaking tents during frequent summer rains and extreme temperature fluctuations.

  • Limited access to legal counsel: A lawsuit filed by the ACLU notes that detainees, like Cuban national Michael Borrego, are unable to communicate with their attorneys, raising concerns about constitutional violations.

These conditions have drawn criticism from human rights advocates and local leaders, including Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski, who called the facility’s remote location and the rhetoric surrounding it “corrosive of the common good.”

Who Is Being Held at Alligator Alcatraz?

Despite claims from President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis that the facility houses “vicious” criminals, records obtained by the Miami Herald reveal that of over 700 detainees, only about one-third (233) have criminal records. The majority are held for immigration violations alone, including individuals like Denis Alcides Solis Morales, detained after a traffic stop despite no criminal convictions. This discrepancy has fueled criticism that the facility is being used to detain non-criminal immigrants, contrary to public statements.

Environmental and Political Controversies

The detention center’s location in the ecologically sensitive Everglades has sparked environmental concerns. Betty Osceola, a member of the Miccosukee tribe, has protested the facility’s impact on the fragile ecosystem, citing risks from sewage spills and increased traffic. A lawsuit filed by environmentalists to halt operations was challenged by Florida officials, who argued it was filed in the wrong jurisdiction (Miami-Dade instead of Collier County).

Politically, Alligator Alcatraz has become a lightning rod. Democratic lawmakers, denied access to the facility, have criticized its lack of transparency and called it a “political stunt” costing an estimated $450 million annually to operate. Meanwhile, Republicans, including DeSantis, argue it supports President Trump’s mass deportation agenda, with the facility designed to hold up to 5,000 detainees.

Why This Matters for Immigration Policy

The 911 calls and reported conditions at Alligator Alcatraz highlight broader issues in U.S. immigration policy:

  • Human Rights Concerns: Allegations of inhumane treatment, including inadequate food and medical care, raise questions about compliance with federal standards for detention facilities.

  • Transparency Issues: Unlike ICE-run facilities, Alligator Alcatraz does not list detainees in public databases, making it difficult for families and attorneys to locate them.

  • Public Cost and Oversight: The facility’s $450 million annual operating cost, with unclear federal reimbursement, has drawn scrutiny from critics who question its necessity and management.