The Everglades state-run immigration detention facility is expected to be empty in a matter of days. The facility, nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz," faces a judge's order to be closed by late October amid a dispute between Florida and federal authorities. A Florida emergency management official indicated chaplaincy services may no longer be necessary due to the declining population. The governor attributed the drop to increased deportations by the Department of Homeland Security and noted DHS controls processing and staging of detainees, while ongoing litigation could affect the pace of removals. Federal attorneys contend any decision to detain at the center would be Florida's.
That's according to an email exchange shared with The Associated Press. In a message sent to South Florida Rabbi Mario Rojzman on Aug. 22 related to providing chaplaincy services at the facility, Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie said "we are probably going to be down to 0 individuals within a few days," implying there would soon be no need for the services.
Questioned about the email exchange by a reporter at an event in Orlando, DeSantis framed the declining population as the result of an uptick in deportations by the Department of Homeland Security. "Ultimately it's DHS's decision where they want to process and stage detainees and it's their decision about when they want to bring them out," DeSantis said. He acknowledged the ongoing litigation may be "an influence" on the pace of deportations.
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