Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” begins to wind down operations, and Orlando authorities post signs warning chalk protesters to not “deface” roadways.
Florida officials being to remove equipment from ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ after court order
Immigration attorney Magdalena Cuprys has clients at Florida’s migrant detention facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz.” She said she hadn’t communicated with her clients since wind-down operations started.
“They’re moving people like cattle, and they’re really not telling their representatives anything about where they’re moving them,” she said.
We have continuing coverage tonight as the population at the detention facility is decreasing due to a court order.
White House Border Czar Tom Homan says he disagrees with a federal judge’s recent ruling.
“I disagree with the judge who made that decision. I went down there. I walked through the detention areas where these people sleep and live. I saw a clean facility, a well-maintained facility. I went to the medical center and talked to the nurses there on staff, looked at the medical facility. It was great,” he said.
The Department of Homeland Security reported Friday it is complying with the judge’s order, moving detainees out of the Everglades facility.
After the order, large trucks have been seen taking away large equipment.
While the gates remain open for now at “Alligator Alcatraz,” the process of shutting things down is ramping up.
Cuprys has two clients detained there. With a court order in place calling for everyone to be moved, she has been in the dark with no direct communication with her clients.
“No one has notified us as their attorneys that they will be transferred where they will be transferred or when they will be transferred. And it’s very concerning because this is a trend,” she said.
There were reports Thursday of riots and unrest inside the facility, something the state has since denied.
“These reports are manufactured. There is no unrest happening at ‘Alligator Alcatraz.’ Detainees are given clean, safe living conditions, and guards are properly trained on all state and federal protocol,” the state said in a statement.
Betty Osceola is an environmental activist and member of the Panther Clan of the Miccosukee tribe, and she lives near the detention center.
“I was very optimistic but cautious at the same time, seeing all the traffic come with all the tents coming out, I think there is light at the end of the tunnel,” Osceola said.
Still, state leaders are vowing to fight this order…the Department of Homeland Security said, “DHS is complying with this order and moving detainees to other facilities. We will continue to fight tooth-and-nail to remove the worst of the worst from American streets.”
For the time being, Osceola says she is keeping a watchful eye over her native land…not celebrating this as a win until the operation is completely shutdown.
“Until those FEMA trailers come out, I’m not going to do my happy dance yet,” she said.
According to the judge’s ruling, the state has at least 60 days to formally shut down the facility.
Traffic signs now warn people on the sidewalk next to the Pulse memorial crosswalk on Orange Avenue and Esther Street that defacing the roadway is prohibited.
This comes after the Florida Department of Transportation has repeatedly painted over the crosswalk to its traditional black and white stripes since the controversy started on Aug. 20.
Day after day, residents and advocates for the LGBTQ+ community have colored in the lines of the crosswalk with either chalk or paint, returning the surface to its former rainbow colors.
It has been over a week since FDOT crews first repainted the rainbow-colored crosswalk without warning the city of Orlando.
Later that week, the state agency sent a letter to city officials and other Florida municipalities, ordering the removal of at least 14 separate pavement markings that state officials say don’t comply with guidelines for the appearance of crosswalks, sidewalks and roadways.
They gave the city until Sept. 4 to make the changes or face losing state funds.
On Aug. 27, Orlando announced crews had started replacing previously state-approved crosswalks and intersection treatments with traditional pavement markings.
“Per the orders from the state, these previously approved treatments must be replaced with traditional pavement markings. As a municipal government, the City of Orlando must comply with state and federal law, and we will begin this work at the locations listed below beginning Wednesday, August 27, 2025, and it is expected to continue for several days. Expect delays and minor detours from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.,” the city’s statement read.