FLORIDA SUPERCHARGES 287(G) AND STATE DETENTION: ICE–FHP SWEEPS NET 1,000+ AS ‘ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ’ OPENS

Florida has expanded its role in federal immigration enforcement under Gov. Ron DeSantis, increasing local participation in 287(g) agreements and directing sheriffs and correctional officers to cooperate with ICE. The state has passed laws, funded enforcement, and opened state-run detention sites including Alligator Alcatraz and Deportation Depot, while ICE and state operations have carried out large sweeps and arrests. Jails can hold detainees on ICE administrative requests and some county jails have agreements to detain people longer, with transfers to out-of-state facilities used to relieve overcrowding. A backlog in immigration courts and limited judges means many detainees face long waits, complicating access to legal recourse and detention timelines.