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Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz' immigration detention center has closed, governor says
By By JEFFREY COLLINS at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News
· June 25, 2026
· 3 min read
The Florida Everglades immigration detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz has served its purpose, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday, closing the makeshift facility heralded by the Trump administration and denounced as inhumane by civil rights groups.DeSantis said the center, which opened in J...
Key takeaway DeSantis said the center, which opened in July 2025, was always meant to be only temporary until more permanent detention centers could be secured and federal officials now have that capacity.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The closure of Florida's Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention center has implications for Detroit 's own immigrant communities, who have been watching the situation with concern. While the facility was located in Florida, its impact was felt nationwide, including in Michigan, where many families have loved ones who have been detained or deported. The conditions at Alligator Alcatraz, described as inhumane by civil rights groups, have sparked outrage and calls for reform in Detroit's own immigrant advocacy community. As Florida continues to play a key role in immigration enforcement, Detroiters will be watching to see how the closure of this facility affects local immigration policies and practices. The city's own experiences with immigration enforcement and detention will likely inform its response to the ongoing national debate over immigration reform. Detroit's immigrant communities will be looking for assurances that their loved ones will be treated humanely and with dignity, regardless of their immigration status.
About this story
Original reporting by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Florida Everglades immigration detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz has served its purpose, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday, closing the makeshift facility heralded by the Trump administration and denounced as inhumane by civil rights groups.DeSantis said the center, which opened in J...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by By JEFFREY COLLINS at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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