Alligator Alcatraz Returns to County Control | Orlando News

Florida’s controversial “Alligator Alcatraz” detention facility has officially shut down, with state leaders handing control back to Miami-Dade County after a year of operation. Built in record time and touted by Governor Ron DeSantis as a tool for deporting dangerous individuals, the site processed nearly 30,000 people before closing in June 2026. But it faced fierce backlash — lawsuits over civil rights and environmental damage, including a new claim that federal funding and environmental reviews were concealed, possibly violating the Endangered Species Act. Now, under Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s vision, the county aims to transform the land into a haven for Everglades restoration, weighing options like conservation, sale, or repurposing while navigating legal and financial hurdles. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/04da2f55ad742f8c