Florida Begins Demobilization of Everglades Immigration Facility After Processing 22,000 People

Florida state officials directed contractors Monday morning to begin full demobilization of the Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention facility in the Everglades. Kevin Guthrie, the state's Emergency Management director, delivered the notice during a conference call with vendors.

He told them to expect significant progress on clearing the site by Wednesday, according to sources familiar with the operations.

The final detainees left the facility last week, transferred to other centers or deported. Federal and state officials cited safety concerns tied to the start of hurricane season as the reason for the closure. Each vendor contract includes a demobilization clause that allows companies to charge the state fees expected to reach tens of millions of dollars.

The effort is projected to last about one week, after which the site is slated to reopen as a small airport for pilot training. Governor Ron DeSantis said earlier this month that he expected the facility to close soon. "If we shut the lights out tomorrow, we will be able to say it served its purpose," he stated.

DeSantis also noted that upwards of 22,000 individuals had been processed through the center. The facility opened on July 3, 2025, and was built with state tax money. State officials submitted a $608 million reimbursement request to the federal government at the end of last year that was later approved, though actual funds remain delayed by court challenges, environmental concerns and other issues.