Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’: See who’s being held at the remote detention site

Florida Democrat lawmakers tour Alligator Alcatraz

Florida Democrats spoke after a tour of the state's immigration detention center, known as Alligator Alcatraz, then answered questions from reporters.

A long list of names has been published identifying more than 700 people currently held — or soon to be transferred — to Florida’s controversial immigration detention facility located deep in the Everglades.

The makeshift compound, built on a remote airstrip and officially operated by Florida’s Division of Emergency Management, has been shrouded in secrecy since opening on July 2. Families and immigration attorneys say they’ve struggled to locate loved ones, often learning they’ve been transferred only when detainees manage to call out.

Read the full list of names here via the Miami Herald.

What we know:

Nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz," the detention center is composed of large white tents with cage-like enclosures, housing hundreds of immigrants under reportedly extreme conditions.

The site is expected to cost taxpayers around $450 million annually, with $245 per bed per day in operating expenses. Officials say Florida will seek reimbursement from the Department of Homeland Security through FEMA funds.

The idea originated from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration, which used emergency powers to authorize construction. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier publicly announced the initiative on Fox News, touting it as part of a broader crackdown on immigration.

Attorneys and detainees describe grim conditions

Detainees and advocates have described alarming conditions inside the facility — including worms in food, broken toilets, and no access to showers or medical care for days at a time. At least one minor, a 15-year-old Mexican boy, is reportedly being held there.

Attorneys say they’ve been unable to meet clients in person or even get confirmation on their whereabouts, raising serious due process concerns.

Beds are seen inside a migrant detention center, dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz," located at the site of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, as US President Donald Trump tours the facility in Ochopee, Florida on July 1, 2025.  (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

"They have no way to bathe, no way to wash their mouths, the toilet overflows and the floor is flooded with pee and poop," one woman told the Associated Press, describing what her Cuban husband has faced since arriving at the site.

State officials have denied the allegations. "These are all complete fabrications," said Stephanie Hartman, a spokesperson for the Florida Division of Emergency Management, insisting the facility "meets all required standards."

What we don't know:

While the Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times published a list of names, the Department of Homeland Security has not officially confirmed the identities of those being held.

FOX TV Stations has reached out to DHS for comment but has not yet received a response.

Access to the site has been heavily restricted, with media barred from entry and some attorneys saying they’ve been turned away. A court-ordered tour for legislators and members of Congress is scheduled for Saturday.