Is 'Alligator Alcatraz' closing? Florida congressman speaks at ICE detention center

OCHOPEE, Fla. - As Florida has expanded its number of ICE detention centers in the state – with the addition of "Deportation Depot" in 2025 and a possible facility coming to Orlando – state leaders are speaking about the possible closure of "Alligator Alcatraz" in Collier County. 

The Everglades Detention Facility, also called "Alligator Alcatraz," is located near Ochopee at the abandoned Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport.

What we know:

On May 26, U.S. Representative Maxwell Frost, FL-10, will speak on reports that "Alligator Alcatraz" is expected to close in June with the over 1,400 detainees the facility is holding to be transferred. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Department of Homeland Security have not confirmed the closure or a specific date, but DeSantis has mentioned several times that "Alligator Alcatraz" was "always meant to be temporary." 

"It’s clearly temporary," DeSantis said in January. "How temporary will depend on the pace that they have in terms of doing the expansion. We would anticipate that at some point they're going to up their own capacity." 

DeSantis also shared plans to expand ICE detention centers to Northwest Florida, calling it a "Panhandle-Pokey."

Read more: ICE detention center in Orlando? What we know

Why is Rep. Maxwell Frost visiting ‘Alligator Alcatraz'? 

Before Frost's press conference, he shared his views on the facility's rumored closure, saying, "Hopefully, for the last time, I am on my way to Alligator Alcatraz." 

In an X post, Frost said he's traveling to "Alligator Alcatraz" to observe "environmental concerns," he said, planning to conduct oversight on the treatment of the immigrants, including running bathrooms, running water and having the right amount of phones. 

"A lot of times, when a facility is being shut down, those things get pushed aside," Frost said. He also plans to get clarity regarding the alleged shutdown and what will happen to the detainees. 

Where are Florida's ICE detention centers?

In Florida, ICE's website lists eight locations used as detention facilities, field centers or processing centers. 

• Baker County. Located at the former Baker Correctional Institution, the Baker County Detention Center, also dubbed the "Deportation Depot" in Sanderson, opened in August 2025 and has the capacity to hold over 1,300 detainees. Ninety-three deportation flights have left the facility that's been operating for four months, DeSantis said – deporting over 2,000 individuals.
• Pompano Beach. Operated by The GEO Group, is the Broward Transition Center.
• Miami. Located in Miami is the Federal Detention Center.
• Moore Haven. Located at the Glades County Jail, is the Glades County Detention Center.
• Miami. Located west of Miami, is the Krome North Service Processing Center.
• Bunnell: The Flagler County Detention Facility is located at the Flagler County Sheriff's Office. 
•  Ochopee: Florida Soft Sided Facility South is located near the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport. 
• Bristol: Liberty County Sheriff's Office is operating as a detention facility. 

What we don't know:

Officials have not confirmed when "Alligator Alcatraz" is closing. 

What's next:

Frost will hold a press conference at the facility on May 26 at 1 p.m., ahead of a state-approved tour.