Detainees at the ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ facility have been relocated due to concerns over an impending hurricane, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The facility, located in the Everglades, has been criticized for its conditions and has been the subject of controversy since its opening last year.

Background on ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

The ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ facility was established as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to increase ICE’s detention capacity and surge arrests and deportations of illegal immigrants. The facility is situated on an unused airstrip and features large air-conditioned tents with rows of bunk beds and cells formed by chain-link fences.

Despite criticism, the administration has defended the facility as a cost-effective way to house individuals accused of being in the U.S. illegally, suggesting it could serve as a model for other immigration detention centers. Some officials have also argued that the facility’s austere setup and harsh surroundings could serve as a deterrent against illegal immigration.

However, the facility has faced intense criticism and legal pushback from immigration advocates, environmental groups, and a local Native American tribe, who have alleged inhumane conditions, including poor food, nonfunctional toilets, and a lack of access to attorneys.

Original reporting: KTSA News/Talk (San Antonio) — read the source article.