DeSantis Says Deportation Flights From ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Have Begun
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) announced on Thursday that deportation flights carrying illegal immigrants from the “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center, located in the central region of the state, have commenced and are “increasing in cadence.” He further indicated that he anticipates a rise in the frequency of these flights.
During his address at the facility, which occupies a previously unused former airport, DeSantis stated that operations are running smoothly and in collaboration with federal immigration authorities from the Department of Homeland Security, which is spearheading the efforts.
“Hundreds of illegal immigrants have been removed from this location,” DeSantis declared. “This airport is equipped to accommodate commercial-sized aircraft and can operate both during the day and at night. This is the essence of our mission: to process and remove individuals who are unlawfully present in the state of Florida and the United States of America.”
PLAY:
🚨 BREAKING: Alligator Alcatraz deportation flights HAVE OFFICIALLY BEGUN, and the “cadence is increasing,” Governor Ron DeSantis announces.
“Hundreds of illegals have been removed from here.”
It’s located on an airport runway…SO convenient.
Walk them right from their cell… pic.twitter.com/GIQ08c6UPW— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 25, 2025
DeSantis has rebuffed criticism regarding the facility, asserting at an event in Marco Island that it does not pose a risk to the Everglades. He also dismissed concerns raised by Collier County officials about the expedited construction of the migrant detention center near the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, expressing that he is unconcerned about local objections, as reported by Florida Politics.
“This is an established airport. It has a solid concrete foundation. They are not undertaking any activities beyond the designated footprint they have outlined, and they possess comprehensive plans for managing all operations. Therefore, this is simply not a concern,” DeSantis remarked.